The Korsaks’ Museum of Ukrainian Modern Art has received the prestigious European Museum of the Year Award 2025.
Lutsk, May 2025 — The Korsaks’ Museum of Ukrainian Modern Art has won the prestigious European Museum of the Year Award 2025 (EMYA), receiving one of seven Special Commendations from the European Museum Forum jury.
This award is given to museum that demonstrates a special commitment to addressing the challenges of the modern world through cultural practices. The judges’ decision emphasizes:
“The second Special Commendation was awarded to the museum which shows dedication to rediscovering forgotten artists and facilitating discussions about the impact of totalitarianism on artistic expression. Its exhibitions invite visitors to reflect on art’s profound role in society and its potential to foster free thought and diverse perspectives. The museum’s emphasis on accessibility and efforts to preserve cultural identity are particularly relevant in today’s geopolitical context, alongside its commitment to promoting and supporting new artistic creation during a time of global uncertainty.”
In 2025, 42 museums from 18 member states of the Council of Europe were nominated for the EMYA award. The Korsaks’ Museum of Ukrainian Modern Art is the only representative of Ukraine among the nominees. During the summer and autumn of 2024, members of the international jury visited each museum, often more than once.
In particular, in October 2024, the Korsaks’ Museum was visited by Amina Krvavac, chair of the EMYA2025 jury and director of the Museum of War Childhood (Sarajevo, Montenegro). She was deeply impressed by the concept and activities of the Korsaks’ Museum, calling it “a unique space that combines contemporary art with national identity.”
The European Museum of the Year Award (EMYA) was established in 1977 and is awarded annually by the European Museum Forum under the patronage of the Council of Europe. It recognizes the most innovative, interesting, and significant museums that make a major contribution to cultural exchange and social dialogue in Europe.
The annual EMYA2025 conference and award ceremony took place from May 21 to 25, 2025, in Białystok, Poland, at the Sybir Memorial Museum, winner of the Council of Europe Museum Prize in 2024. The event brought together representatives of the museum community from around the world, including former EMYA nominees, partners, and friends.
Special awards were also given to museums from Aarhus (Denmark), Istanbul (Turkey), Budapest (Hungary), Vienna (Austria), Athens (Greece), and Arnhem (Netherlands).
The special award given to the Korsaks’ Museum by EMYA2025 is a landmark event for Ukrainian culture and museums This highlights the significance of contemporary Ukrainian art in the global cultural context, as well as confirmation of the high standards of work and innovative approach of the KMUMA.
About the Korsaks’ Museum of Ukrainian Modern Art
The Korsaks’ Museum of Ukrainian Modern Art (KMUMA) was opened on August 24, 2018, in Lutsk. Its collection includes over 6,000 works of contemporary Ukrainian art — from paintings and sculptures to installations, video art, and augmented reality exhibitions. In six years of operation, the museum has implemented over 300 exhibition projects, welcomes over 100,000 visitors annually, and actively develops social, educational, and inclusive programs.
