21 July 2016

York Art Gallery has been shortlisted for the 2016 Family Friendly Museum of the Year Award by renowned charity Kids in Museums. The only award where families pick the winners.

The announcement comes after the Kids in Museums panel received compelling nomination letters from visitors to the gallery.

One visitor who nominated the gallery said:

“I have two fabulous, spirited children who are three and one. We go all over the place and do all kinds of things, but as anyone with two littlies will attest to, they can be a handful! We have the luxury of numerous fabulous museums and other entertainment close at hand, but the one they, well, the non-stop chattering three year old, ask to go to the most is the art gallery.”

Dea Birkett, Creative Director of Kids in Museums who run the Award, said:

“It’s great to see York Art Gallery on the shortlist and so praised and supported by families so soon after its reopening. It’s a very special place that offers a very special welcome to everyone and is committed to putting young people and families at its heart. We wish York Art Gallery best of luck when the undercover family judges arrive!”

Gaby Lees, assistant curator of arts (learning) at York Art Gallery, said:

“We are thrilled to have been nominated for the Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum of the Year Award 2016. The redevelopment of the gallery always had a family-friendly focus; we wanted people of all ages to feel welcome and to use the space in their own way.

“Our new Studio encourages families to get creative during school holidays, and also hosts our museum babies sessions. We will be running a Teenage Art School in August and we welcome visitors to handle artwork where they see the ‘Hands On’ signs, which are all around the gallery.

“It is wonderful to have been given recognition from the families that nominated the gallery and the Kids in Museums panel who shortlisted us.”

The final decision will be announced on 17 October, following a visit from mystery family judges during the summer holidays.

Kids in Museums encourages museums, galleries and heritage sites to become more family friendly by welcoming children of all ages and offering age-appropriate activities and events and a warm and welcoming environment.