Mostyn bids for £100,000 museum of the year prize

The gallery has seen a 60-70 per cent increase in visitors since re-opening

Mostyn, Llandudno's newly extended and refurbished modern art gallery, is in the running for the UK's largest arts prize.

Along with the British Museum and eight other venues, it has been longlisted for the £100,000 Art Fund Prize 2011.

Mostyn director Martin Barlow said: "It feels like recognition for all the thought and effort that so many people put into making this building such a great success."

The winner will be announced in June.

Mostyn was chosen for the major refurbishment and extension completed last year.

Mr Barlow said: "The new Mostyn gallery took no less than 12 years to realise, but now we have it we have been overwhelmed by the wonderful response to both the building and the exhibitions in it, and by the number of visitors we are receiving."

The longlist was announced by Michael Portillo, chair of the judges, on BBC Radio 4's Front Row arts programme on Wednesday 2 February 2011.

ARTS FUND PRIZE LONGLIST British Museum, London, A History of the World Hertford Museum's Development Project Leighton House Museum, London Mostyn, Llandudno People's History Museum, Manchester Polar Museum, University of Cambridge Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Alloway Roman Baths Museum, Bath V&A, London, Ceramics Study Galleries Yorkshire Museum, York

Coincidentally, he visited the gallery last year while filming in Llandudno for the Great British Railway Journeys series broadcast on BBC 2.

The Art Fund Prize rewards excellence and innovation in museums and galleries across the UK for a project completed or undertaken in 2010.

The ten finalists will be whittled down to four by 19 May and the winner will be named Museum of the Year on 15 June.

Michael Portillo said: "We now look forward to visiting these outstanding examples of excellence and innovation in the museum world with a view to announcing the short list."

The judges also take into account public votes and comments online at Art Fund Prize .

The Art Fund is the national fundraising charity for works of art.

It campaigns, fundraises and gives money to museums and galleries to buy and show art, and promotes its enjoyment through its events and membership scheme.