10:17am Wednesday 3rd April 2013
By Sarah Trotter
FOREST Hill’s Horniman Museum and Gardens is in the running to win £100,000 as the UK’s museum of the year.
It is one of 10 museums and galleries shortlisted for the prestigious Art Fund Prize for Museum of the Year 2013.
The museum, set in 16.5 acre gardens, will need to beat off competition from other London nominees including Dulwich Picture Gallery to claim the largest arts award in the UK.
Opened in 1895 by philanthropist Frederick Horniman, it was given a £2.3m makeover last year and boasts anthropological collections, an aquarium, natural history gallery and an eco-friendly pavilion.
Horniman Museum and Gardens’ Chief Executive Janet Vitmayer said: "We are delighted that we have been shortlisted for the Art Fund Prize for Museum of the Year.
"2012 was an exceptional year in the Horniman’s history. After 10 years of development we have finally achieved the physical and intellectual unification of the Museum and Gardens, so key to Frederick Horniman’s vision.
"Linking our fine collections of objects, plants and living creatures we can now offer an extraordinary and unified view of the world to inspire current and future generations."
The prize aims to reward creativity in bringing objects and collections to life and the winner will be announced live on BBC Radio 4’s Front Row on June 4.
The Horniman is also in line for the £10,000 Clore Award for Learning which celebrates achievements in learning programmes in UK museums.
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