The Anson Engine Museum in Poynton is locked in a David versus Goliath battle.
The museum, which has one employee and everyone else is a volunteer, has been notified that it has made the shortlist in two different categories in the National Museums & Heritage Annual Awards for Excellence.
These awards, described as “the showcase for the best in visitor attractions in the country” are an opportunity to celebrate the expertise and innovation in the museums industry. They spotlight the truly exceptional work that goes into creating world-class visitor attractions and providing much deserved and long overdue recognition.
Being shortlisted is a major achievement in itself but all the more remarkable when you realize that the museum on Anson Road is run by one employee and a handful of volunteers, with no council or government funds towards its running costs. This years list of shortlisted candidates (and winners of previous years awards) are dominated by the major museums in the country so for an independent museum to make it to the shortlist is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the quality of it’s offering. This unusual and specialist museum was described by one visitor as “run on a shoestring and fuelled by enthusiasm.”
The successful entry was based on the Diesel Exhibition the museum run over the summer of 2008. They were told by the Event Director, Anna Preedy, “both the quantity and quality of entries for all 12 categories of this year’s awards was exceptionally high, making short listing even more difficult than ever before.” Despite this, the museum has successfully made the shortlist for both the Classic Award and for the Project on a Limited Budget.
In the Classic Award the judges were looking for somewhere that has been established for 10 years or more with evidence of continued growth, development, vibrancy and visitor interest over the long term. In this category the museum is one of six shortlisted, among the others are the Walker Art Gallery (National Museums Liverpool) and Wildlife Photographer of the Year (Natural History Museum).
For the Project on a Limited Budget - the creation of a project/exhibition using creativity to overcome issues of funding and proving the overall impact the project has had on the attraction. There are five on this shortlist including By the River (National Trust) and The Somme Documentary (Inniskillings Museum and Blackbox AV Ltd).
This year's winners will be announced at a glittering ceremony on Wednesday 13th May at Church House in Westminster, presented by journalist and broadcaster, Simon Calder.
Geoff Challinor, Chairman of the Museum said “We are absolutely thrilled to have been shortlisted. One would have been great, but two categories is really fantastic. Whatever the outcome next month, we know that making the shortlist is thanks to the hard work and dedication of the volunteers who make the museum such a success. We strive to delight our visitors and this news shows that our efforts can be judged on a National stage.”
The museum asks everyone to keep their fingers crossed for May 13th. Let’s hope it is a lucky event for this privately run museum that can give the National Galleries a run for their money.
[attachment deleted by admin]
Topic: Local museum takes on industry giants in National Awards (Read 1928 times)