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The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites. | | | | FACTS | | The Gulbenkian Prize for Museum of the Year is the largest arts prize in the United Kingdom.
Its purpose is to promote public awareness and appreciation of the role of all museums and galleries by highlighting excellent new work being undertaken in the sector.
A single award of £100,000 will be presented to a museum or gallery which best demonstrates a track record of imagination, innovation and excellence through work mainly undertaken during 2004.
The judges for the 2005 Gulbenkian Prize for Museum of the Year are:
Chair: Sir Richard Sykes, eminent academic and scientist and Rector of Imperial College London,
Joan Bakewell CBE, broadcaster and writer
Sir Neil Chalmers, Warden, Wadham College, Oxford and former Director of the Natural History Museum
Michael Day, Chief Executive, Historic Royal Palaces
Sokari Douglas Camp, sculptor
Victoria Hislop, journalist and novelist
Dr Elizabeth Mackenzie, Vice-Chairman, British Association of Friends of Museums. | | | PRINT THIS PAGE | | | View print friendly version of this page.. | |  |
| | A North Devon community project which celebrates the history of a local furniture manufacturer has been commended by the judges of one of the UK's largest arts prizes.
The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon made it onto the shortlist for the prestigious Gulbenkian Prize for 2005 Museum of the Year.
It was shortlisted for its research and community work into the history of the joinery firm Shapland & Petter.
The project highlights the central role that Shapland & Petter has played in Barnstaple’s economic life over the past 150 years.
 | | An archive photo taken inside the Shapland & Petter factory. |
It brings together oral history, film, the digitisation of archives and an exhibition of the firm's best Arts & Crafts furniture.
The Gulbenkian award pitched the small scale North Devon project against some of the UK's museum heavyweights.
Making it onto the shortlist of 10 was a huge boost for the museum, which has a full time staff of five, supported by 21 volunteers.
Sadly the museum wasn't chosen as one of the four finalists for the £100,000 prize.
"We're thrilled, especially when you look at the competition from glamorous multi-million pound museums," said project co-ordinator Claire Gulliver.
"It's so exciting that we've been recognised as one of the best museums in the country.
 | | Local people have been keen to share their memories of the factory. |
The museum was prompted to set up the project after it acquired Shapland & Petter's design archive.
With the help of a Heritage Lottery grant, a permanent digitised archive has been created to demonstrate the range and quality of the company's work over the years. First-hand experiences of Shapland & Petter's past and current employees and their families have been captured in sound, video and text and 15 new volunteers have joined the museum to work specifically on the project. "We've had a lot of ex-employees coming in with their memories and pictures," said Claire.
"It means so much to local people to have their experiences recorded and to build up the story of the company.
 | | The firm produced furniture in the Arts and Crafts style. |
"It's an historic building in the centre of the town and very much part of the town's history.
"You can speak to anyone in Barnstaple and they have connections with the company. It's directly relevant to their lives and there's something very empowering about a project like this." The project culminates in a major exhibition in May and June 2005, when visitors will have the opportunity to see some examples of Shapland & Petter's best work.
Ten museums were originally selected for the Gulbenkian Prize shortlist. Four of them now go forward to the final and the eventual winner will be announced in May.
The £100,000 prize will be presented to the museum or gallery which best demonstrates a track record of imagination, innovation and excellence.
Article updated: 12th April 2005 |
