The individual awards celebrate the people behind the sector, recognising volunteers, practitioners, and leaders whose dedication, innovation, and impact have shaped Victoria's museums and galleries. From first-time volunteers to those with decades of service, these awards acknowledge the individuals who drive change, build community, and leave a lasting mark on the sector.
Victorian Museums and Galleries Awards
ABOUT THE AWARDS
The Victorian Museums and Galleries Awards recognise and celebrate excellence across the sector. Established in 1994, the awards honour the individuals, presenting organisations,and collecting institutions that strengthen Victoria’s creative and cultural industries through outstanding work and a commitment to best practice.
The Public Galleries Association of Victoria (PGAV) has been partnering with the Australian Museums and Galleries Association (AMaGA) Victoria to deliver the awards since 2023. PGAV helped redesign the awards to include dedicated categories for galleries and the introduction of the First Nations Project of the Year and Changemaker of the Year awards.
From groundbreaking exhibitions to community-driven initiatives, the awards reflect the dedication and creativity shaping Victoria's cultural landscape.
AWARD CATEGORIES
Every year, a total of 11 awards are presented 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 long-time industry sponsor, Archival Survival (identified by an asterisk).
Each award category has its own guidelines, selection criteria and nomination form - which are available from our website during the call for nominations in October. Projects delivered in the previous 12 months are eligible for the awards.
OVERVIEW | INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
The Volunteer of the Year Award recognises the invaluable contributions of volunteers to the museum and gallery sector. This award celebrates the hard work and dedication of volunteers who have made a significant impact on their institution and the community they serve. Volunteers play a crucial role in the sector, providing support in a variety of areas such as education, programming, and visitor services. This award celebrates the efforts of individuals who go above and beyond in their role as a volunteer to make a positive impact on the sector and the diverse communities it serves.
CHANGE-MAKER OF THE YEAR
The Change-maker of the Year Award recognises individuals who have made outstanding contributions towards advancing the sector. This award provides a unique opportunity to celebrate the visionaries who are pushing boundaries, challenging norms, and creating new possibilities for museums and galleries in Victoria and beyond.
MARTIN HALLETT AWARD FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Martin Hallett (1945-2019) was a former senior manager for the Victorian Cultural Network at Creative Victoria, deputy chief executive of Museums Victoria, curator emeritus, and lifelong champion of public collections, community engagement and empowerment.
The Martin Hallett Award for Community Engagement recognises individuals who, like Martin, have demonstrated a commitment to and championing of increased access to collections and exhibitions for all Victorians. This award shines a light on those who have worked to increase public accessibility to collections, finding innovative ways to employ collections as tools for education, inspiration, and social change.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognises individuals who have made a significant and lasting impact on the museum and gallery sector over the course of their career. This award celebrates exceptional individual accomplishments and contributions demonstrated through diverse pathways, such as leadership, management, advocacy, infrastructure, exhibitions and programs, collection care and development, and education. Recipients of this award serve as role models for the museum and gallery community and exemplify the best of the sector.
overview | project awards
The Project of the Year Awards recognise outstanding achievements in the museum and gallery sector. These awards celebrate innovative projects that have made a significant impact on the sector, such as the development of new exhibitions, the introduction of innovative technologies, or the creation of new museum or gallery spaces. They also acknowledge the hard work and dedication of museum and gallery professionals, as well as their commitment to creating engaging, innovative and informative experiences for members of their communities and the sector more broadly.
volunteer - run project *
Project of any budget undertaken by a volunteer-run museum or gallery.
Proudly sponsored by Archival Survival.
small project (museum) *
Project budget: Up to $150,000
Proudly sponsored by Archival Survival.
small project (gallery) *
Project budget: Up to $150,000
Proudly sponsored by Archival Survival.
medium project (museum)
Project budget: $150,000 - $500,000
medium project (gallery)
Project budget: $150,000 - $500,000
large project
Project budget: $500,000+
first nations project
The First Nations Project of the Year Award acknowledges and celebrates the outstanding efforts of individuals, groups, and institutions who demonstrate a commitment to placing First Nations first – advancing and showcasing First Nations art, artists, culture, and history. This award recognises innovative projects that foster meaningful and respectful collaborations between cultural institutions and First Nations communities, as well as those that demonstrate a clear understanding of and engagement with the contemporary issues of First Nations people.
PREVIOUS AWARD RECIPIENTS
Explore previous recipients of the Victorian Museums and Galleries Awards and discover how their outstanding projects and individual contributions have helped shape Victoria's cultural landscape.
2026 AWARDS
Hosted by proud Butchulla, Mununjhali and Woppaburra woman, artist, comedian, and playwright, Janty Blair, winners of the 2026 Victorian Museums and Galleries Awards were announced at a gala ceremony held on Tuesday 28 April at Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA).
2024 AWARDS
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.
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.
Image: 2026 Victorian Museums and Galleries Awards ceremony, held at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA). Photo: Peter Casamento.
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.
