Denmark’s Den Gamle By, the National Open-Air Museum of Urban History and Culture, is basking in the glow of a significant accolade: the esteemed European Museum of the Year Award. The arts center, nestled in Aarhus, proudly claimed this honor during a glittering ceremony in Bilbao, Spain, on Saturday night.
In presenting the award, Daniëlle Kuijten, co-chair of the EMYA jury, hailed Den Gamle By as “a pioneering institution that seamlessly integrates historical and contemporary urban landscapes to tackle some of today’s most pressing issues, including migration, sustainability, and social justice.”
Founded “by ordinary people for ordinary people,” Den Gamle By serves as a dynamic open-air museum where visitors can delve into 400 years of history. Its interactive exhibitions invite attendees to journey through time, experiencing life from 1600 through 2014. Here, one can encounter everything from charming horses to vibrant advertisements, engage with a model nuclear family, or step into the ticketing office of SAS—all within the museum’s historic surroundings.
The museum is dedicated to educating the public on vital topics such as sustainability, equality, and empowerment. The judging panel praised its green initiatives, stating, “Sustainability is a prominent theme in the museum’s newly launched activities, which include cultivating heirloom plant varieties, hosting gardening workshops, and offering courses in clothing and building repair.”
At its core, Den Gamle By aims to create a dynamic space rather than a static exhibit. This approach fosters community engagement, ensuring that all voices are acknowledged and valued. Volunteers play a crucial role here, lending their expertise and personal stories to enrich the narratives presented, while participatory projects anchor the museum in civic life.
The competition for this prestigious award was fierce, yet many deserving institutions also emerged from the ceremony with accolades. The Young V&A in London received the Council of Europe Museum Prize, while the Museum of Madness Institute in Trate, Slovenia, was honored with the Kenneth Hudson Award for Institutional Courage and Professional Integrity.
Furthermore, Stabio, Switzerland’s Museum of the Rural Civilization of Mendrisiotto earned the Portimão Museum Prize for Welcoming, Inclusion, and Belonging, and Germany’s AlpenStadtMuseum was awarded the Silletto Prize for Community Participation and Engagement. Finland’s Lahti Museum of Visual Arts Malva grabbed the Museum Prize for Environmental Sustainability.
Special commendations went to several institutions, including the Obersalzberg Documentation Centre in Berchtesgaden, Germany; the Cern Science Gateway in Meyrin, Switzerland; and the Tartu City Museum in Estonia, among others.
The co-chairs of the EMYA Jury noted that the 2026 award winners represent a rich tapestry of thematic focuses and geographic diversity. Their common thread is a commitment to change—challenging established narratives, confronting challenging histories, and enhancing the social relevance of their institutions.
Mark your calendars: the 50th European Museum of the Year Award ceremony is set for May 30, 2027, in Bern, Switzerland.
