• The Art Museum Award recognises art museum projects using innovative approaches to address social issues.

• It focuses on the value of museums to communities by fostering social justice, participation, inclusion and sustainability.

• Birmingham Museums’ Citizens’ Jury was highlighted in judges’ statement.  

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery has received a special commendation for innovative practices in the European Museum Academy (EMA) Awards 2025.  

The European Museum Academy Art Museum Award is an annual European award that recognises art museum projects using innovative, pioneering and creative approaches to address current social issues.  

The award focuses on the social role of art museums and highlights their value to communities by fostering democratic and human values like social justice, participation, inclusion, and sustainability.

In their commendation statement, the judges highlighted the work of Birmingham Museums’ Citizens’ Jury, the UK’s first museum citizens’ jury, which was commissioned by Birmingham Museums Trust with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players.

The judges said:  

“Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery (BMAG) has developed a radical new vision based on promoting social justice and a desire to meet the real needs of a city with a diverse population that is struggling with some of the most acute issues of poverty and inequality to be found anywhere in the UK.  

“BMAG has shown remarkable resilience and creativity in developing new approaches, including an influential ‘citizens jury’, to help them provide a safe social space that can inspire hope and ambition and contribute to restoring a much-needed sense of pride and belonging in a troubled setting.”

Sara Wajid and Zak Mensah, co-chief executives of Birmingham Museums Trust, said:  

“We are delighted that Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery has been specially commended in the European Museum Academy Awards.  

“In particular, this recognition is a testament to the innovative work of our citizens’ jury, whose thoughtful deliberations and recommendations are helping to shape a more inclusive and representative vision for our museums.”