Soldiers' exhibition up for award

The National Army Museum in London - home to Helmand: The Soldiers' Story - has been long-listed along with nine other UK museums and galleries.

A shortlist will be announced in April and a winner chosen in May.

The prize, funded by charity Art Fund, aims to "stimulate originality and excellence" in museums and galleries.

More than 150 soldiers of 16 Air Assault Brigade - the first Nato troops to enter Helmand - contributed to the exhibition, thought to be the first display of its kind during an ongoing conflict.

THE LONG-LIST

• British Empire and Commonwealth Museum (for Breaking the Chains) - Bristol
• British Library (for Sacred - Discover What We Share) - London
• International Slavery Museum - Liverpool
• The Lightbox - Woking
• London Transport Museum - London
• National Army Museum (for Helmand: The Soldiers' Story) - London
• Pier Arts Centre - Stromness, Orkney
• Shetland Museum and Archives - Lerwick
• Topsham Museum (for River Gallery Project) - Exeter
• Wellcome Collection - London

Their contributions include film footage, photographs, letters, personal diaries and e-mails.

Other museums and galleries on the long-list include London Transport Museum, following its £22 million transformation.

The British Library is also on the list for an exhibition bringing together the world's Christian, Jewish and Islamic texts.

Two further exhibitions on the list - at Liverpool's International Slavery Museum and at Bristol's British Empire and Commonwealth Museum - explore the issues of racism, human rights, freedom and identity.

Sue MacGregor, chair of the judges, praised the "imagination and inspiration" of all the 10 venues on the long-list.

"We're going to have an exciting and absorbing time visiting all 10 museums and galleries," she added.

Last year's winner was Pallant House Gallery in Chichester.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
National Army Museum
Art Fund Prize
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