Museum of Sanctuary Award for Leicester Museum & Art Gallery

Leicester Museum & Art Gallery is proud to announce that we have attained the prestigious Museum of Sanctuary Award. We join only four other museums across the entire United Kingdom who have achieved this important award which shows that the Museum welcomes all people who are seeking refuge, regardless of background or circumstances.

Over the last five years we have developed partnerships with members of many local organisations working with refugees and asylum seekers. Together we have delivered a wide variety of projects to engage and support migrants and to celebrate their contribution to Leicester, as well as to express the commitment to challenging myths about refugees and asylum seekers.

The Leicester Museum & Art Gallery’s application for this Award was rigorously evaluated by the local Leicester City of Sanctuary accreditation panel. The mission of Leicester City of Sanctuary is

“…to welcome asylum seekers and refugees in and around Leicester, and support them to rebuild their lives, develop their skills and feel part of the community”.

This award supports our wider strategic objective to increase the diversity of museum audiences and directly engage with a growing Leicester community. Our achievement is evidence of Leicester Museums & Galleries Service’s strategic commitment and practical work to ensure access to the city’s museums for all the people of the city, including new arrivals, asylum seekers and refugees.