Bolton Museum WINS prestigious national award for excellence

Bolton Museum has been awarded a prestigious industry award at the 2012 national Museums + Heritage Awards for Excellence ceremony.

The attraction’s Quest for Immortality touring exhibition, which features some of the museum’s 15,000-strong Egyptology collection, was announced as the joint winner in the International Award category after being shortlisted from hundreds of entrants from across the UK and Europe.

The exhibition was created by the United Exhibits Group, which specialises in putting together international tours, and will tour China and Taiwan for around three years.

The award was presented by comedienne and broadcaster Sue Perkins at a glittering ceremony yesterday (May 16th) at 8 Northumberland in Central London.

The Leader of Bolton Council, Councillor Cliff Morris, said: “This is a fantastic achievement and a great honour to win the International Award at this year’s Museum and Heritage Awards.

“The Quest for Immortality exhibition has surpassed all expectations since its installation in Taipei, Taiwan last June and recently welcomed its one millionth visitor.

“Bolton Museum is renowned for its extensive Egyptology collection and we were honoured to be approached to participate in the Quest for Immortality touring exhibition by United Exhibits Group (UEG). The exhibition has proved a hit with visitors from all over the world and demonstrates the excellent partnership working that we so pride ourselves on in Bolton.

“The exhibition has enabled us to showcase our collection – and indeed the history of Bolton in its acquisition of such a collection - on an international stage and opened up a whole range of new opportunities for us to develop the museum’s Egyptology department.

“The Bolton Museum team behind the exhibition has worked tirelessly to make it a success and this award is testament to their hard work and dedication to what is a fascinating subject.”
Now celebrating its tenth year, the annual Awards recognise projects of excellence ranging from groundbreaking achievements of national institutions to those crafted with limited resources and budget or those championing sustainability.

The Awards are judged by a panel of the sector’s leading lights including: Diane Lees, Director General, Imperial War Museums; Bernard Donoghue, Director, Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) and other leading sector professionals.

Following the Awards ceremony, Sue Perkins said: “I was delighted to host the Museums + Heritage Awards for Excellence again this year. It is wonderful to see that despite the difficult economical climate, our amazing cultural sector remains as diverse and inspiring as ever!”