The European Museum Forum (EMF) operates under the auspices of the Council of Europe and is involved in far-ranging activities throughout the cultural field. It is one of the leading organizations in Europe for developing the public quality of European museums and has established this primary position after 33 years of providing its service.

What is the European Museum Forum?

• a trans-national European non-profit organisation;
• an agency committed to raising the standard of museums throughout Europe and publicising excellence;
• a point of reference for the whole museum scene focused on innovation;
• the organiser of meetings to widen knowledge.

What does the European Museum Forum do?

• organises the annual European Museum of the Year Award for newly-opened or refurbished museums;
• publishes a brochure describing the entrants and winners of the European Museum of the Year Award;
• organises a three-day conference to support the Award Ceremony;
• provides international workshops to bring together likeminded museum professionals in a truly European setting;
• gives individuals, professional organisations and institutions the chance to take part in its partnership scheme, and to receive the Forum’s publications and invitations to national and international events;
• participates regularly in the programmes of EU and the Council of Europe in the area of education, culture and scientific research;
• maintains an archive at the Institut für Museumskunde in Berlin, accessible to researchers, which contains information on every museum candidate for the European Museum of the Year Award since 1977.