Since the opening of its new building, Istanbul Modern has attracted significant international attention. At the European Museum of the Year Awards, the museum was honored with the Portimão Prize for Welcoming, Inclusion, and Belonging.
Organized under the auspices of the Council of Europe to reward outstanding achievements in the field of museology and to promote innovation, the European Museum of the Year Awards (EMYA) have announced their 2025 recipients. Having previously received the Special Commendation Award from EMYA in 2009, Istanbul Modern has now been granted the 2025 Portimão Museum Prize for Welcoming, Inclusion, and Belonging.
Istanbul Modern was selected by the EMYA jury as one of the “Museums of the Year” in Europe due to its practices in social responsibility, inclusiveness, sustainability, intercultural dialogue, and commitment to democratic values. The museum’s approach to making art accessible to diverse segments of society through its modern and contemporary art-focused collection, as well as its exhibitions and programs, was also among the highlights in the evaluation process.
Referring to the Special Commendation Award granted by EMYA in 2009, Istanbul Modern Chair Oya Eczacıbaşı said, “Since our founding in 2004, we have continued our efforts with the aim of bringing art to the public. This new recognition by EMYA, following the award we received 15 years ago, reflects the importance we place on social responsibility and cultural dialogue. Each award we receive not only places a greater responsibility on our shoulders but also strengthens our belief in making art accessible to broader audiences.”
The 2025 EMYA Awards were announced during a ceremony held following the EMYA Annual Conference, which took place from May 21 to 25, 2025, in Białystok, Poland, hosted by the Sybir Memorial Museum, recipient of the 2024 Council of Europe Museum Prize. Past winners of the European Museum of the Year Award include Chillida Leku (Spain), Gruuthusemuseum (Belgium), The University Museum of Bergen – Natural History (Norway), Brunel’s SS Great Britain (United Kingdom), and MO Museum (Lithuania).
Following the opening of its new building, Istanbul Modern garnered widespread international acclaim in the fields of architecture and culture. The museum was listed among the “Architectural Marvels of 2024” by Architectural Digest, a magazine published for over a century. National Geographic included Istanbul Modern in its list of the “Top 20 Cultural Destinations in the World.” Around the same period, the museum was named “Building of the Year” by ArchDaily and earned the title of “Best of the Best” at the Architecture MasterPrize awards. It also received first prize in the “Completed Buildings – Culture” category at the World Architecture Festival (WAF), one of the most prestigious events in the architecture world.
At the same time, Istanbul Modern was awarded the “Outstanding Museum Practices Award” by the International Committee for Museums and Collections of Modern Art (CIMAM) for its program Following a Dream, which brings young girls together with art. Inspired by women artists, the program aims to foster creative thinking and artistic expression skills. Now in its second year, the project became the first initiative from Turkey to receive this award.
