Firstsite’s ‘innovation and integrity’ during pandemic wins Art Fund’s £100,000 prize
A gallery that six years ago was placed in special funding measures because of concerns over its viability has been named winner of the world’s largest museum prize.
The turnaround for Firstsite, in Colchester, is remarkable. In 2015 it was in crisis mode after Arts Council England removed it from the national portfolio, instead offering a year-by-year funding deal. On Tuesday its director, Sally Shaw, was presented with the £100,000 prize as Art Fund museum of the year 2021.