St Fagans becomes the first Welsh winner of Museum of the Year 4 Jul 2019

St Fagans National Museum of History has won the Art Fund’s Museum of the Year Award for 2019. The museum, which is home to original and recreated buildings from across Welsh history, from Iron Age roundhouses to a prefab bungalow becomes the first Welsh winner of the £100k prize. It recently completed a major £30m six-year development which included the creation of a medieval Prince’s court and a learning centre. Art Fund Director Stephen Deuchar said that the museum is “a monument to modern museum democracy, it has been transformed through a major development project involving the direct participation of hundreds of thousands of visitors and volunteers, putting the arts of making and building into fresh contexts.” Bridget McConnell, Chief Executive of Glasgow Life, who was among the judges said “everyone I met and saw at St Fagans was in constant, lively conversation about their shared history, culture and lived experiences. This is their place – and it is strongly felt on every visit. It is heartening that the museum’s major supporter, the devolved Welsh government, has put culture at its core for the wide benefits of everyone in the country.” The Art Newspaper, Guardian, Twitter (St Fagans short film), Art Fund