From 10 to 14 June 2026, Dr Michał Wiśniewski participated in the 49th European Museum of the Year Award (EMYA) Conference and Awards Ceremony, held in Bilbao, Spain. During the event, he moderated the panel discussion “Connecting Public Through the Senses”, which explored the growing role of multisensory experiences in museums and their impact on memory, empathy, and public engagement.
Dr Michał Wiśniewski serves on the Board of Trustees of the European Museum Forum, the organisation operating under the auspices of the Council of Europe that has presented the European Museum of the Year Award since 1977. EMYA is widely regarded as the most prestigious distinction in the European museum sector.
This year’s conference, held under the theme “Disrupting the Museum: Inclusion for All”, brought together representatives of 34 nominated museums from 17 European countries. Among them was the Museum of Engineering and Technology in Kraków, the only Polish institution nominated for EMYA 2026. Throughout the conference, nominated museums presented their achievements, projects, and innovative approaches to accessibility, education, and community engagement.
The European Museum of the Year Award 2026 was awarded to Den Gamle By in Aarhus, Denmark. The Council of Europe Museum Prize 2026 was presented to Young V&A in London. Other awards were granted to museums in Slovenia, Germany, Switzerland, and Finland in recognition of their contributions to local communities, inclusiveness, institutional courage, and sustainability.
The EMYA Conference is one of the most important annual gatherings of the European museum community, providing a platform for exchanging experiences, showcasing innovative practices, and discussing the future role of museums in contemporary society.
