EM\u03a3T | National Museum of Contemporary Art Athens has won the European Museum Academy Art Museum Award 2026, a major European distinction recognising museums that place art in innovative and pioneering contexts to address contemporary societal issues.<\/p>\n
The award was presented at the European Museum Academy Awards in Alicante, Spain, on Saturday 26 September. EM\u03a3T was selected from six finalists, alongside FENIX Museum of Migration <\/strong>in the Netherlands, Hastings Contemporary <\/strong>in the UK, Museum Gugging <\/strong>in Austria, the National Gallery of Slovenia, <\/strong>and the Rijksmuseum<\/strong> in the Netherlands.<\/p>\n The Art Museum Award places the social role of art museums at its centre, recognising institutions that engage with contemporary societal issues through values including social justice, participation, inclusion, equality, community building, sustainability and resilience, while championing new models for the role art museums can play in society today.<\/p>\n Announcing the award, Dr. Samuel Gallacher, Chair of the Art Museum Award Jury<\/strong>, said: \u201cArtistic Director Katerina Gregos and her team impressed the Art Museum Award jury through the authenticity and ambition with which their vision is translated into practice across the institution, as evidenced in the incredible number of thought-provoking exhibitions undertaken by the museum. A champion of Greek contemporary art while confidently outward-facing to the eastern Mediterranean and the world beyond, EM\u03a3T is a much-needed cultural bridge in an increasingly isolated and fractured world. \u201cQuality of production, originality of thought and a heartfelt belief in making a positive impact in everything the museum does in recent years helped EM\u03a3T stand out in a highly competitive field of candidates. EM\u03a3T does not just hope to change the way audiences think about contemporary art, but about their lives and the world in which they live. Their work is now rightly held up as a model for other museums to follow.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n The nomination comes following a period of transformation at EM\u03a3T under Artistic Director Katerina Gregos<\/strong>, during which the museum has developed a programme that centres contemporary art in critical engagement\u00a0 with some of the most urgent questions shaping society.<\/p>\n Since 2022, major programme cycles have included Statecraft<\/em><\/strong>, examining the mechanisms and visual languages of nation-building, power and governance; Modern Love (or Love in the Age of Cold Intimacies),<\/em><\/strong> exploring love, intimacy and human relationships in the digital age; and What if Women Ruled the World?<\/em><\/strong>, which placed work by women artists throughout the museum for more than a year and opened up conversations around gender, power and representation.<\/p>\n These have been followed by Why Look at Animals? A Case for the Rights of Non-Human Lives<\/em><\/strong>, addressing humanity\u2019s relationship with other species, and the museum\u2019s current programme, The Cosmopolitans<\/em><\/strong>, which considers cosmopolitanism, belonging and cultural exchange at a moment of growing nationalism, polarisation and division.<\/p>\n Following the announcement, Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni <\/strong>congratulated Katerina Gregos and the entire EM\u03a3T team, saying: \u201cThe international recognition of the National Museum of Contemporary Art constitutes an important moment for Greek culture and a particularly significant achievement for the National Museum of Contemporary Art, its people, and everyone who has worked with dedication and passion to shape its contemporary, outward-looking and dynamic programme. As an institution under the Ministry of Culture, EM\u03a3T is one of the important pillars of our cultural policy for contemporary artistic creation. EM\u03a3T\u2019s international trajectory confirms that Greece is not only a country with an invaluable cultural heritage, but also a country that produces, supports and promotes contemporary artistic creativity and production. Until now, it was primarily our archaeological museums that received international distinctions. Today, this particular recognition demonstrates that the National Museum of Contemporary Art now stands among the most important museums in Europe and is being recognised for the way it understands the role of the museum in the 21st century: as an open and accessible space for culture, creativity, dialogue and meaningful engagement with society. And this is extremely important for Greece and Athens. EM\u03a3T is breaking new ground for contemporary art, strengthening our country\u2019s international presence and demonstrating in practice that our public cultural institutions can play a leading role in the European and international cultural landscape. I warmly congratulate Katerina Gregos, who has given the Museum both vision and a clear strategy; Administrative and Financial Director Athina Ioannou; the Board and the staff of EM\u03a3T; the artists; as well as all of the Museum\u2019s collaborators on this very significant achievement. This is an achievement that belongs not only to the cultural community, but also to the country as a whole, and it fills us with pride.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Katerina Gregos, Artistic Director of EM\u03a3T<\/strong>, said: \u201cThis is a very special moment for EM\u03a3T, and I am deeply moved and delighted that the museum has received the 2026 European Museum Academy Art Museum Award. This distinction is particularly meaningful because it recognises our commitment to exploring the social role of contemporary art and engaging with some of the most important and critical issues of our time. At a time of increasing polarisation, I believe museums have a responsibility to create space for critical thinking, different perspectives and difficult conversations, and to demonstrate why contemporary art matters to the world we live in. We are extremely proud and grateful to the European Museum Academy for recognising this work, particularly among such an exceptional group of museums. \u201cMy deepest thanks go to the artists, partners and audiences who have been part of this journey; to the Ministry of Culture and the Museum\u2019s Board for their support; and, above all, to the entire EM\u03a3T team, whose commitment, imagination and dedication make the museum what it is. This award belongs to all of them.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n The winner of the European Museum Academy Art Museum Award 2026 was announced at the Gala Dinner and Award Ceremony at the MARQ Archaeological Museum of the Province of Alicante, Spain on Saturday, 26 September 2026.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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