The European Museum of the Year Award (EMYA) is now accepting applications for its 2026 edition. This prestigious award recognizes excellence and innovation in the museum sector across Europe.

Application deadline: April 1, 2025.

Who Can Apply?

✅ Non-profit European museums that have opened or undergone significant renewal since January 2021.
✅ Temporary or semi-permanent exhibitions may apply, provided they are open in time for jury visits (summer–early autumn) and remain accessible until at least June 2026.

❌ Museums or exhibitions open for more than four years at the time of application are not eligible.
❌ Museums that have applied in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 or 2025 are not eligible, except for different branches of museum unions.

🔗 How to apply? Visit our HOW TO APPLY section for full details.

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What is EMYA?

The European Museum of the Year Award celebrates outstanding achievements in museums, focusing on public quality, innovation, and social impact. The EMYA Jury seeks pioneering approaches that influence the museum sector nationally and internationally.

Each year, up to 60 museums are shortlisted through a rigorous judging process, culminating in the EMYA Annual Conference and Awards Ceremony, where 250–300 leading museum professionals gather to showcase, discuss, and celebrate museum excellence.

Why Apply?

✔ Recognition: Be part of a prestigious network of award-winning museums.
✔ Visibility: Showcase your museum’s work to a European and global audience.
✔ Networking: Engage with museum innovators and leaders.

🔗 See previous winners on our WINNERS page.

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EMYA 2025 Conference & Awards Ceremony

📅 When? 21-25  May 2025
📍 Where? Białystok, Poland

The EMYA 2025 Conference and Awards Ceremony will bring together museum professionals, researchers, and cultural leaders to celebrate excellence in museums across Europe. The event includes museum presentations, expert discussions, and the prestigious awards ceremony recognizing innovative achievements in the sector.

🔗 More details on EMYA 2025 web-page

EMYA’s Purpose and Values

The European Museum Forum (EMF), which organizes EMYA, is committed to excellence in museum practice, encouraging sustainability, cultural exchange, and democratic values.

📌 key values include:

• Citizenship, democracy, and human rights
• Sustainability and environmental responsibility
• Cross-cultural dialogue and social inclusion

The EMYA awards have been running since 1977, evolving to reflect societal shifts and emerging challenges in the museum field.

Each year, an average of 45 museums apply from across the 47 Council of Europe member states. In 2020, a record 61 candidates took part.

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📧 For more information, contact: emf@europeanforum.museum.

🔗 Learn more about EMYA/EMF in the EMYA SCHEME section.