Hull’s newly reopened Hull Maritime Museum has been recognised on the global stage after being shortlisted for the Museum Opening of the Year award at the 2026 Apollo Magazine Awards.

 

The nomination places the museum alongside some of the world's most prominent cultural institutions, making it one of just six venues in contention for the title. It is also the only museum in the UK to be shortlisted, putting Hull in the spotlight among an international field that includes museums and galleries from the United States and France.

 

The finalists are:

  • Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, USA
  • Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, USA
  • Musée des Augustins, Toulouse, France
  • Princeton University Art Museum, USA
  • Studio Museum in Harlem, New York, USA
  • Hull Maritime Museum, Hull, UK

 

The winner will be revealed at a ceremony in London on Thursday 19 November.

 

Presented annually by Apollo Magazine, one of the world's leading visual arts publications, the awards celebrate major achievements across museums, galleries and the wider arts sector. The nomination recognises the scale and significance of Hull Maritime Museum's transformation and its contribution to the city's cultural and heritage offer.

 

Since welcoming visitors through its doors again on 8 August, the museum has proved hugely popular, attracting more than 50,000 visitors in its first month. The response highlights growing interest in Hull's maritime heritage and the city's reputation as a destination for culture and history.

 

Following a £20.4 million redevelopment, the museum now offers 25 galleries and exhibition spaces, combining interactive displays, immersive storytelling and collections that explore Hull's deep connections to the sea. Alongside new exhibitions, visitors can also appreciate the restored Victorian architecture of the landmark building.

 

Originally constructed as Hull's Dock Offices, the Grade II* listed building has undergone extensive restoration as part of the wider Hull Maritime project. Funded by Hull City Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project has carefully preserved the building's historic character while creating a modern museum experience for visitors of all ages.

 

The restoration was designed by Purcell Architects and delivered with conservation specialists Simpson of York, helping safeguard key architectural features while introducing new interpretation, visitor facilities and exhibitions that bring Hull's maritime story to life.

 

Hull Maritime Museum is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4.30pm, and Sundays from 11am to 4pm. Admission is free, and advance booking is recommended during busy periods, although walk-in visits are available daily.

 

For more information about the Apollo Magazine Awards, visit the Apollo Magazine website.