Gunnersbury Park Museum Shortlisted for Major Heritage Award
Nominated for its exhibition on the legacy of activism in Southall
The exhibition considered how Southall has shaped the country's music scene
March 16, 2026
Gunnersbury Park Museum has been shortlisted for a prestigious international honour at the Museums + Heritage Awards.
The local museum has been nominated in the category of Community Engagement Programme of the Year for its project “Peoples Unite! How Southall Changed the Country.”
The programme explored the history and legacy of activism in Southall and the communities who helped shape it. The exhibition ran from February until November 2025 and proved so popular it was extended beyond its original closing date.
Working with local partners, contributors and community participants, the project created a platform for people to share stories and reflect on collective histories while highlighting voices that have influenced the borough and beyond.
Tom Crowley and Ishwari Giga from the museum’s curatorial team said the recognition reflected the collaborative effort behind the exhibition.
“It felt like an incredible privilege that our community partners trusted us with their stories,” they said. “It’s really special to have this recognised by the Museums + Heritage Awards. Peoples Unite was a real team effort bringing together colleagues from across the museum.”
The Museums + Heritage Awards celebrate excellence across museums, galleries and cultural visitor attractions worldwide. This year the Community Engagement Programme of the Year category attracted the largest number of applications, with a record volume of submissions from institutions across the UK and a further ten countries.
The nomination comes as Gunnersbury prepares to launch a new exhibition marking an important milestone in its history. Gunnersbury Unlocked: From Private Grounds to Public Park will open on 28 March as part of a programme of cultural events celebrating the centenary year of Gunnersbury Park as a public park.
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