The Ulster Museum was named today as the winner of the £100,000 Art Fund Prize, despite coming second in the public vote to the Ashmolean Museum. Announcing the results on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Front Row’ programme, Kirsty Young, broadcaster and chair of the judging panel, said, “We were moved and invigorated by our visit to the Ulster Museum. Here is a museum that shows how much can be achieved, and one that is building a lasting legacy.” She also commented on how the museum was “embedded in the community… [but] is incredibly impressive in its own right.”

BY BEN FINCH

Following the announcement, Tim Cooke, Director of National Museums NI, commented, “We are delighted on Northern Ireland’s behalf. This is the first time in Northern Ireland’s history that a prestigious cultural prize of this nature has been awarded to an institution in the region. This prize will encourage us as we endeavour to play a meaningful role at the heart of our changing society.”

The Art Fund Prize Bowl, created by Vladimir Bohm, will be on display in the museum for the next year and Les McLean, Head of Operations at the museum, has already stated that the £100,000 prize will be spent on “something lasting.”