Hosted by Australian comedian, composer, and broadcaster Sammy J, winners of the 2024 Victorian Museums and Galleries Awards were announced at a gala ceremony held on Tuesday 1 October at Science Gallery Melbourne – where art and science collide.
Australian Museums and Galleries Association Victoria (AMaGA Victoria) and Public Galleries Association of Victoria (PGAV) are proud to present the 2026 Victorian Museums and Galleries Awards.
Now in its 33rd year, the Awards celebrate excellence, innovation, and leadership across Victoria’s museum, gallery, and community collecting sectors. This is the fourth year of collaboration between AMaGA Victoria and PGAV, uniting the sector to recognise the remarkable contributions of cultural organisations and professionals throughout the state.
Entries are open to all Victorian cultural organisations, including members of AMaGA Victoria and PGAV, that meet the eligibility criteria defined in the guidelines. Eligible projects for the 2026 Awards will be those undertaken between July 2024 and December 2025.
Nominations for the 2026 Awards will open on 18 November and will close in February 2026. Winners will be announced at a gala ceremony to be held in April 2026.
information session
You are invited to attend an Information Session about the 2026 Victorian Museums and Galleries Awards, where you can learn more about the Award categories and the nomination process.
When: Tuesday 25 November 2025
Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm
Venue: Zoom
2026 AWARDS CATEGORIES
The Victorian Museums and Galleries Awards recognise and celebrate excellence across the sector. They seek to reward presenting and collecting organisations and the individuals who support and strengthen Victoria’s creative and cultural industries through outstanding work and a commitment to best practice.
Every year, we present a total of 11 awards to individuals and organisations who have made exceptional contributions to their field. There are four individual awards and seven project-based awards. Three of the Awards have been generously supported by our long-time industry sponsor, Archival Survival (identified by an asterisk).
Each of the following award categories is accompanied by a set of guidelines, as well as an individual nomination form. To view the guidelines, click on the orange "Guidelines" button; and to nominate, click on the yellow "Nominate" button.
INDIVIDUALS
Volunteer of the Year Award
Change-maker of the Year Award
Martin Hallett Award for Community Engagement
Lifetime Achievement Award
ORGANISATION PROJECTS
Volunteer- run Project of the Year (Museums & Galleries)*
Small Project of the Year (Museums)*
Small Project of the Year (Galleries)*
Medium Project of the Year (Museums)
Medium Project of the Year (Galleries)
Large Project of the Year (Museums & Galleries)
First Nations Project of the Year (Museums & Galleries)
Entries are open to all Victorian cultural organisations, including members of AMaGA Victoria and PGAV, that meet the eligibility criteria defined in the guidelines.
TEMPLATES
Download templates in PDF or Word to assist you prepare your nomination.
Volunteer of the Year Award templates
Change-maker of the Year Award templates
Martin Hallett Award for Community Engagement templates
Lifetime Achievement Award templates
Project Award templates
First Nations Project Award templates
ABOUT PREVIOUS AWARDS
Want to see how past winners have shaped Victoria’s cultural landscape? Explore the previous Victorian Museums and Galleries Awards and discover the inspiring projects and individuals celebrated over the years!
2024 AWARDS
2023 AWARDS
Hosted by vibrant radio broadcaster Jacinta Parsons, the winners of the 2023 Victorian Museums and Galleries Awards were announced on 10 October at a gala ceremony - the sector's night of nights - held at ACMI.
2026 VICTORIAN MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES AWARDS SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS
Victorian Museums and Galleries Awards design by Pidgeon Ward.
The Public Galleries Association of Victoria (PGAV) acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the lands where our office is located, and all Traditional Owners of country throughout Victoria and Australia. We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples enduring traditions and continuing creative cultures. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
We are an LGBTQIA+ friendly organisation that celebrates diversity. We are committed to providing safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive services for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
