EMYA 2026 BILBAO
The European Museum of the Year Award (EMYA) Conference and Awards Ceremony 2026 will take place in Bilbao, capital of Bizkaia, from Wednesday, June 10th, to Sunday, June 14th, 2026.
Organized by the European Museum Forum (EMF) and hosted by local institutions, Euskararen Etxea and its Interpretation Center—winner of 2025 Council of Europe Museum Prize—and the Provincial Council of Bizkaia, the Conference will bring together members of the EMYA community, including former candidates, winners, partners, and friends, alongside the EMYA2026 nominee museums.
As a dynamic cultural territory in the Basque Country, Bizkaia has become a reference point for innovation, contemporary museum practice, and international cultural exchange, making it an ideal setting for this year’s gathering. Bizkaia is a land where tradition inspires innovation.
For nearly five decades, EMF/EMYA has championed excellence in innovation and public quality in museum practice, maintaining a strong commitment to citizenship, democracy, human rights, sustainability, and the bridging of cultural, social, and political borders. The 2026 edition, under the theme “Disrupting the Museum: Inclusion for All”, will explore how museums can challenge established structures, expand accessibility, and foster truly inclusive cultural spaces for diverse communities.
Thirty-four museums from seventeen countries, nominated for the EMYA 2026, will present their achievements during the conference. One of the key objectives of the event is to foster the development of forward-looking strategies in response to contemporary challenges, while creating a space for dialogue and learning within and for communities.
The event will take place at Euskalduna Jauregia – Palacio Euskalduna.