In a Different Light at Pitt Rivers

Pitt Rivers Museum and Oxford Natural History Museums have come out on top in this year’s Museums and Galleries Month (MGM) Commendation Scheme.

The Museums were singled out for the award for being the first to embrace the spirit of the European late night opening initiative 'Nuit des Musees' with their night time event 'In a Different Light'.

This year’s commendations were hotly contended and close runners up to the two Oxford museums were SS Great Britain and The Collection, Lincoln. Eleven very different and outstanding events were shortlisted for commendation.

MGM during May 2007 saw an unprecedented number of evening events centred around the weekend of May 18/19/20 based on the European-wide 'Nuit des Musees' on Saturday May 19.

Many others were linked to the MGM theme, People – Who Are We? inspiring a wide range of events and activities including art and family history.

"This year Museums at Night as a concept really took off," explained Ylva French, Executive Director of the Campaign for Museums which organises Museums and Galleries Month.

"This was partly due to our cooperation with the promotions company for Twentieth Century Fox, who made it possible for 50 museums around the country to show the film, Night at the Museum, to the public without restrictions over the Museums at Night weekend."

The Pitt Rivers Museum is now an old hand at showing its displays in a different light for Museums at Night. Photo courtesy Pitt Rivers Museum

The film scheme, together with the commitment of many national museums in London and in the regions to late night openings, led to a wealth of special events - some even had special transport laid on.

“What people are looking for increasingly in museums and galleries is a chance to see something different and to join in," added Ylva. "All the events shortlisted for this year’s MGM Commendation Scheme, whether large or small, allowed visitors that special involvement.”

The two Oxford museums will receive £500 towards next year’s MGM event. All the commended and shortlisted museums will be featured on the MGM website, as their case studies aim to inspire those looking for ideas for next year’s MGM, when the theme is 'Ideas and Innovation'.

The judging panel included Javier Pes, editor of Museum Practice, Elise Oliver, Archives Awareness Campaign, Emily Burns, head of events, English Heritage, Abigail Walker, Renaissance programme manager, MLA, and Rachael Evans, regional audience development officer, MLA East Midlands. Emily, Elise and Rachael are all members of the MGM strategy group.