The Creative Core, a leading visitor experience designer for museums, heritage and culture, has announced that several of its recent projects have been recognised with prestigious awards, including wins at the Museums + Heritage Awards, the RIBA Awards and the European Museum of the Year Awards.
This builds on the firm’s success over the past five years, with three of its projects previously being named as finalists for the Art Fund Museum of the Year prize, and two of its projects being shortlisted for the Museums + Heritage Awards Permanent Exhibition category.
Permanent Exhibition of the Year
Last week in London, the Children’s Country House at Sudbury was named Permanent Exhibition of the Year at the Museums + Heritage Awards 2023. The Creative Core worked with the National Trust to reimagine Sudbury Hall as the world’s first historic house experience created especially for children.
The project was commended by the judges for its “bold new approach to interpreting historic houses and heritage”, with an “imaginative and participatory” visitor experience that had “moved the sector’s dial.”
The firm collaborated with the National Trust to develop a visitor experience that reflected the history and craftsmanship of Sudbury Hall as viewed through the eyes of kids and teenagers. Core designed and co-produced a series of creative and playful interventions around the historic house that promote curiosity, exploration, and lifelong engagement with heritage, all of which were inspired by ideas from child ambassadors.
Jodie Lees, general manager at Sudbury Hall, says: “We feel the impact that the Children’s Country House is having on thousands of children and families every week, and we are so proud to have this recognised at a national level.”
RIBA Awards
The team behind the Museum of Making took home three awards at this year’s RIBA East Midlands honours, which were held at Loughborough University. To co-produce and deliver this inspirational museum of makers past, present, and future, Core collaborated with Derby Museums, architect Bauman Lyons, and other partners.
Judges praised the “spirit of co-production” shown by the Museum of Making from its inception right up to the present day, and Derby Museums was commended for its courage and creativity in opening up the museum’s design process to a collaborative effort with the architect, exhibition designer, stakeholders and audiences.
In 2022, the Museum of Making was shortlisted in the Permanent Exhibition of the Year category at the M+H Awards and was a finalist for the most prestigious prize in the museum world – the Art Fund Museum of the Year.
European Museum of the Year Awards
At the 2023 European Museum of the Year Awards, held in Barcelona, the Thackray Museum of Medicine received a special commendation. Core delivered the interpretation design and build of the museum’s new galleries which tell the story of how healthcare and medical innovations changed the modern world.
The European Museum of the Year Awards (EMYA) honour museums that significantly advance our knowledge of the world and the role of museums in society. The Thackray Museum of Medicine was the only contender from the UK, out of 33 European institutions nominated for the awards this year.
Thackray Museum of Medicine was praised by the jury for creating “meaningful connections and promoting social cohesion”, serving as a “transformative force for bringing together people from diverse backgrounds” in one of the most deprived neighbourhoods in Leeds.
Edward Appleyard, chief executive of Thackray Museum of Medicine, said that the award was “a tremendous honour”, and “a testament to the power of museums to educate, entertain, inspire and connect people from all walks of life.”
The Thackray Museum of Medicine was also among the finalists for Art Fund Museum of the Year in 2021.
Top image: The Children’s Country House at Sudbury © National Trust
