02 Oct 2017
The winners of the Leading Culture Destinations Awards, “The Oscars for Museums,” were announced on Friday at the brand new Trafalgar St. James hotel, with London's Design Museum achieving top prize of The Leading Culture Destination 2017 overall winner.
The Leading Culture Destinations Award winners were chosen by a jury of nine established cultural gurus from around the world. The scheme, now in its fourth year, celebrates museums and cities for their dedication to cultural vitality with winners chosen based on the quality and reach of their contributions to the international cultural sphere. The awards recognise institutions, organisations, and cities that have provided exemplary contributions to local cultural life and showcase emerging destinations. Cultural destinations today are not only for art experiences and education; they have become social hubs for visitors to spend time, dine, shop, work and even sleep. LCD Awards shines light on culture as an integral part of our lifestyle.
The judges review everything from audacious programming and management structures, to cross-sector collaborations and Michelin-starred restaurants, late night openings and music performances, with an overarching focus on a visionary approach to these cultural initiatives. The winners were presented with a trophy designed by United Visual Artists.
The Awards continue to indicate a cultural growth trend towards the global periphery as traditional artistic hubs such as Paris and New York no longer have the same draw for artists, and as nations such as Mexico and Thailand seek social development to match the growth in the industry. However, the award winners for Leading Cultural Destination of the Year demonstrate that western countries have not completely lost their edge, and continue to work towards maintaining a wealth of cultural activity.
The introduction of the Climate Smart Award recognised an art institution that has significant educational contribution to the fight against climate change, highlighting how art can inform and engage, but also be a catalyst for a more sustainable future.
Another new entry to the Leading Culture Destinations Awards this year was the Sipsmith 'Best Museum Late Night Experience' Prize, draws attention to the transformation of museums into late night social hubs engaging the next generation of cultural nomads with innovative programming.
Founder of the Leading Culture Destinations Awards, Florian Wupperfeld, also announced the exciting news that he will be launching the Leading Cultural Destination Academy, a new knowledge sharing and networking initiative. A place where tourism and hospitality executives can meet cultural destination leaders, create new opportunities and reach the next generation of cultural travellers.
The Leading Culture Destination of the Year Award winners:
- Exhibition of the Year: Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors at Hirshhorn Museum (Washington DC, USA)
- Museum Architecture of the Year: Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology (Lisbon, Portugal)
- Museum Shop of the Year: Walker Art Center (Minneapolis, USA)
- Restaurant of the Year: Fotografiska (Stockholm, Sweden)
- Digital Museum Experience of the Year: British Museum (London, UK)
Best New Museum of the Year Award winners: (opened in the last 15 months):
- Europe: Design Museum (London, UK)
- North America: Tippet Rise Art Center (Fishtail, USA)
- Latin America: Casa Wabi (Puerto Escondido, Mexico)
- Middle East / UAE / Africa: Etihad Museum (Dubai, UAE)
- Asia / Pacific: MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum (Chiang Mai, Thailand)
The Traveller's Award winners, presented by Avis:
- Emerging Cultural City of the Year: Athens, Greece
- Art Hotel of the Year: The Walled Off Hotel (Bethlehem)
Soft Power Destination of the Year Award winners, presented by Valletta 2018:
- Best Soft Power Cultural Activation Award: Davis Museum at Wellesley College, Art Less: The Davis without Immigrants (Wellesley, USA)
- Best Soft Power Cultural Organisation Award: Toronto International Film Festival (Toronto, Canada)
- Best Soft Power Cultural District Award: Watts Tower Arts Center (Los Angeles, USA)
Climate Smart Award, in partnership with SUNx:
- Climate Control at Manchester Museum (Manchester, UK)
Best Museum Late Night Experience, in partnership with Sipsmith:
- Rubin Museum of Art (New York, USA)
The Leading Culture Destination 2017 overall winner:
- Design Museum (London, UK)
-Ends-
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Image Credits
(L-R Row One) Etihad Museum (Dubai), Design Museum (UK), The Walled off Hotel (Bethlehem)
(L-R Row Two) Climate Control at Manchester Museum (Manchester,UK), Athens (Greece), Walker Art Center (Minneapolis, USA)
For further information:
#lcdawards #lcdtravel #oscarsformuseums
Editorial, editorial@leadingculturedestinations.com
The Communication Group, ahollingworth@thecommunicationgroup.co.uk
THE JURY
Andrea Morgante, architect, designer & founder of Shiro Studio which includes projects such as Ferrari Museum, Italy
Mon Muellerschoen, art advisor, and named Germany's No1 Art Consultant by Manager Magazin
Simon Rawlings, Creative Director at David Collins, designed Nobu, Connaught Bar or Wolseley London
Claus Sendlinger, CEO and Founder of Design Hotels, recognized global travel aficionado
Jenny Mannerheim, CEO Each x Other, gallery & fashion brand
Petite Meller, musician & artist, people consider her to be the next Lady Gaga
Greta Bellamacina, Poet and BAFTA nominated filmmaker, loved by Stephen Fry
Jeremy Jauncey, founder of Beautiful Destinations, award-winning creative agency behind the largest travel community on social media
Catherine Tabone, Executive Director of the Valletta 2018 Foundation, European capital of culture 2018
*Climate Smart Award will be determined by its own distinct international jury led by long-time travel industry leader Dr. Tom Selanniemi, Director of the Finnish Nature Centre Haltia
Alongside :
Professor Geoffrey Lipman, former President of WTTC and Co-founder SUNx
Felix Dodds, former Executive Director UN StakeholderForum and, author and Co-founder SUNx
Ignace Schops, Goldman Award Winner, President of Europarc Federation and Author
Maureen Lipman CBE, Award-winning Actress and Author
Tom Goldberg MBE , Chairman AWI Group
Richard Prosser, Chairman of Audley Travel
Rose Mukogo, former Director of Research at Zimbabwe Tourism Authority
Paul Wilke, former Global PR Manager for Visa
Jeanine Pires, former Minister of Brazilian Tourist Board
Madan Bezbaruah, former Secretary of the Indian Ministry of Tourism
ABOUT LEADING CULTURE DESTINATIONS
Leading Culture Destinations is a platform created to explore, recognise and promote the world's best destinations for cultural experiences.
Set up by Florian Wupperfeld and Bakul Patki, together with a team of art and travel enthusiasts, it aims at sharing knowledge and recommendations from a global network of leading professionals from the arts, fashion, music and film.
The company aims to support both emerging and existing arts institutions and cultural travel destinations, highlighting the practices and solutions that raise the standards of the cultural sector worldwide.
ABOUT LCD AWARDS PARTNERS
VALLETTA 2018
Malta's capital city, Valletta, is set to be the European Capital of Culture 2018. The accolade recognises Valletta's role in driving cultural, social and economic regeneration across the Maltese archipelago through collaboration, exchange and innovative practice. The achievement will be celebrated with a series of events across the islands throughout 2018. #valletta2018 http://valletta2018.org
AVIS
Avis Car Rental operates one of the world's best-known car rental brands with approximately 5,500 locations in approximately 170 countries. Avis has a long history of innovation in the car rental industry and is one of the world's top brands for customer loyalty. Avis is owned by Avis Budget Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAR), which operates and licenses the brand throughout the world. For more information, visit www.avis.com or www.avis.co.uk
SIPSMITH
Pioneers of the gin revival, Sipsmith was London's first copper pot distillery for nearly two hundred years, opening its doors in 2009 on a mission to bring back London Dry Gin to the city where it made its name. All Sipsmith spirits are made by hand and in small batches, driven by the belief that this is the only way to craft spirits of such high quality. Sipsmith have been awarded one of the top 5 most trending gin brands for the last four years, by the 50 best bars in the world and a Cool Brand for 2016/17. https://sipsmith.com
THE TRAFALGAR ST. JAMES
The Trafalgar will launch as a brand new hotel, The Trafalgar St. James in early Autumn 2017. Tucked away on the South side of the world-famous Trafalgar Square, the official centre of London, the hotel will bring a new level of excitement, vibrancy and sense of discovery to the capital, capturing the hearts of Londoners and visitors alike. The hotel will feature 131 rooms, with 14 suites (including 2 signature suites), an all-day dining grill restaurant, 1805; a year-round outdoor space, The Rooftop; and a downstairs private lounge, Biblio. The hotel will be part of the Curio Collection. Connect with the brand on Twitter and Instagram @TrafalgarSW1.
INDIGITAL MEDIA
INDIGITAL is a leader in production, content creation & syndication across the globe.
Our purpose is Storytelling, our core is Creative, our delivery is across all formats. INDIGITAL are in constant production year round covering the global calendars of fashion, showbiz, music and culture. Through this, we transform how the world's leading brands effectively engage through new forms of storytelling across media.
Founded in 1999, we are now one of the world's largest archives of fashion runway video and photography which includes; backstage, beauty, street styles, brand editorial along with red carpet, art & culture and travel from around the world.
Today, INDIGITAL redefine the conventional, inspire the old and challenge the current through campaigns focused on brand development, content curation and social impact. While we use the most up-to-date technology and cutting edge approach, our campaigns continue to be client-first, people-first. This is our DNA.
NEW YORK | LONDON | PARIS | SYDNEY www.indigital.tv @indigitalnow
SUNx
SUNx stands for the Strong Universal Network – a legacy initiative of Maurice Strong, one of the fathers of Sustainable Development and Secretary General of the 1992 Rio Earth Summit the precursor of the UNSDG's (Sustainable Development Goals) and the Paris Climate Agreement. It's eXchange solution will be delivered through a cloud connected network of community climate adaptation centres, which help deliver (low) “Impact Travel” transformation. https://www.thesunprogram.com
SK+
SK+ is implementation partner for brands embracing transformational technology opportunities and new business models - especially for those with vision and readiness to shift their company culture throughout their organisation.
Thereby, we do not only aim to showcase the latest gadgets, analyse industry relevant (consumer) trends, apply organisational restructuring programmes or connect you with cost efficient incubation or collaboration partners.
SK+ delivers holistic, end-to-end innovation solutions with tangible short-term results, team support and a sustainable transformation into a culture of innovation.
THE NEW YORK TIMES
The New York Times Company is a global media organization dedicated to enhancing society by creating, collecting and distributing high-quality news and information. The Company includes The New York Times, NYTimes.com and related properties. It is known globally for excellence in its journalism, and innovation in its print and digital storytelling and its business model.
ART REVIEW
Founded in 1949 and dedicated to expanding contemporary art's audience and reach ArtReview is one of the world's leading international contemporary art magazines. ArtReview speaks to a worldwide audience of collectors, artists, gallery owners and directors, curators, art educators and students, as well as an art-engaged public. www.artreview.com
