Shetland Museum and Archives thank the public for Family Friendly Award nominations
The Shetland Museum and Archives would like to thank all the families who nominated them for the Guardian Family Friendly Award. While they did not win the award, they are the first ever museum in Scotland to make it to the short list and to achieve this in its first year is tremendous.
Kirsty Kennedy, Lifelong Learning Officer, who attended the award ceremony, was thrilled: “We would like to thank the families who helped us to achieve this prestigious short listing for the biggest UK museum award. Being family friendly is not just about catering for kids it is about cross generation appeal, and we have tried to achieve this from the outset. There was a lot of interest in the Museum and Archives at the awards ceremony, with many present saying they would have to come to Shetland to experience it for themselves.”
Dea Birkett, director of Kids in Museums who work in partnership with the Guardian on the award, commented: “The choice of the final winner was very tough, as the short list was so impressive. The families who judged the Shetland Museum and Archives were very impressed with the facilities. In particular they noted the very welcoming staff, especially with children; attention to detail, such as step stools in the toilets; the sense of belonging in Shetland, which in a small community is very important, and the ‘wow’ factor. For the Museum and Archives to make it to the short list of five, from over 200 nominated museums, and to be the first ever museum in Scotland short listed is quite incredible within its first year of opening and shows they are getting it right for families. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them nominated again next year.”