COVID resilience recognised in Museums + Heritage Awards

[OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS during the pandemic were recognised at the 2021 Museums + Heritage Awards. Celebrating a year of excellence, which unfolded in the most challenging circumstances imaginable, the winners of this year’s awards were announced in an online ceremony on 1 July.

The 17 category winners and many other highlycommended entries shortlisted by the judges received glowing acclaim during the livestreamed event hosted by journalist and broadcaster Samira Ahmed.

Central to this year’s event was marking the achievements of organisations and individuals who have evidenced remarkable levels of ambition and resilience throughout the pandemic.

In a first for the awards, two categories – COVID Supplier of the Year and COVID Special Recognition Award – were decided by a public vote. It was specialist heritage consultancy Tricolor Associates that scooped the supplier prize, while ALVA director Bernard Donoghue garnered the most votes for the Special Recognition award.

The other category dedicated to achievements specific to the past year’s unique terrain saw Gloucester History Trust – with fewer than 20 full-time equivalent paid employees – and Beamish, The Living Museum of the North – more than 20

The entrance to Beamish, The Living Museum of the North - one of the winners of the Pandemic Pivot Award full-time equivalent paid employees – triumph in the Pandemic Pivot Award. “We have experienced some very tough times…but we have also seen extraordinary generosity, creativity, resilience and risk-taking,” said Maggie Appleton MBE, chief executive of the RAF Museum, who chaired this year’s judging panel. “These awards celebrate those fabulous traits of our sector, and of the remarkable people that make it one which is such a joy to be part of.” Samira Ahmed pictured opening one of the award envelopes The other members of the judging panel were Diane Lees, director general of Imperial War Museums; Matthew Tanner, chief executive of the SS Great Britain Trust; Sam Mullins, director of London Transport Museum; Caro Howell, director of the Foundling Museum; Stephen Duncan, director of commercial and tourism at Historic Environment Scotland; and Bernard Donoghue, director of ALVA. “It is truly inspiring to see how our winners have been at the very heart of their communities, playing a vital role in helping to ensure people stay connected and supported during the most challenging of times,” commented Anna Preedy, director of the Museums + Heritage Awards. “I have been awestruck by the sector’s collective energy to not only ride out the storm but to seize opportunities, to transform and to challenge. I am delighted that these awards shine a spotlight on the crucial role museums and heritage visitor attractions play in helping society to reshape and recover from the impact of the pandemic.” q