Tate St Ives wins Museum of the Year 9 Jul 2018

Tate St Ives has won the £100k Museum of the Year award for its 'breathtakingly beautiful' gallery extension. Artist Melanie Manchot, who was one of the judges, said "as soon as I walked into Tate St Ives I had an amazingly strong feeling that they’re doing something innovative. I’ve visited before, but now the whole building, the galleries, the views, all feel different – they have been given a new lease of life. The extension has not so much been an addition as a complete reimagining.” The gallery was closed for 18 months as the extension was carved out of the hillside. It includes a public garden on the roof, a learning centre and a huge gallery. The other finalists were Brooklands Museum in Weybridge, The Postal Museum, London, Glasgow Women's Library and Ferens Art Gallery in Hull. The Postal Museum persuaded Royal Mail to frank letters sent across the country with the Museum of the Year competition and the shortlisted museums. Adele Patrick, who works at the Women's Library tweeted "I love letters but today’s mail made history. Each envelope in Britain franked @womenslibrary Big up @ThePostalMuseum". BBC, Guardian, FT