The National Museum of Contemporary Art Athens has been named one of six finalists for the 2026 Art Museum Award, an honor presented by the European Museum Academy to institutions that place the social role of art museums at the center of their work.
The finalists were selected from a highly competitive field by a nine-member jury of museum professionals from across Europe. The other finalists are FENIX Museum of Migration in Rotterdam, Hastings Contemporary in the UK, Museum Gugging in Klosterneuburg, Austria, the National Gallery of Slovenia in Ljubljana, and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
The Art Museum Award focuses on innovative museum practices that use art to engage with current societal issues. It recognizes projects rooted in values including social justice, participation, inclusion, gender equality, racial justice, community building, sustainability and resilience.
Samuel Gallacher, chair of the Art Museum Award jury, said the selection process was particularly challenging because of the high standard of this year’s entries.
The jury, he said, looks for museums that demonstrate “authentic and sustained engagement with their audiences” rather than simply making a strong first impression. He added that the six finalists had demonstrated excellence and relevance in addressing issues facing society today, regardless of whether their collections focus on historic masters, modern artists or emerging talent.
The 2026 award marks the fifth edition of the Art Museum Award. Karl Murr, chair of the European Museum Academy, said the award has continued to grow in importance while reflecting the increasing professionalism and confidence of museums across Europe as they respond to challenges facing civil society.
All six finalists will present their work at the European Museum Academy Awards, hosted by the MARQ Archaeological Museum of the Province of Alicante in Alicante, Spain, from September 24 to 26.
The winner will be announced during the Gala Dinner and Award Ceremony on September 26.
The European Museum Academy is a nonprofit foundation representing 40 countries. It promotes research and discussion in museography and museology and seeks to encourage the development of museums as tools for social change.
The Art Museum Award is one of the academy’s annual awards. It aims to identify innovative museum projects that place art in creative contexts to address contemporary societal challenges and to highlight institutions that can serve as models for the evolving social role of art museums in the 21st century.
The award is supported by the A. G. Leventis Foundation, established in 1979 by Cypriot entrepreneur Anastasios G. Leventis. The foundation supports projects in Cyprus, Greece and elsewhere, with activities spanning society, education, culture, heritage, conservation, the environment, research and philanthropy.
