Of the hundreds of UK museums and galleries surveyed across the year, just six finalists have now been selected for consideration for the prestigious title of Museum of the Year 2015.

From London to Belfast, country house to contemporary art, this year’s final six represent the incredible diversity of UK museums. Over the past year they have delivered cutting-edge renovations; innovative programmes and / or world-class curation that have impressed the judging panel of industry experts. In the history of the Prize all 12 previous winners were funded by the National Lottery.

[quote]In the history of the Prize all 12 previous winners were funded by the National Lottery.[/quote]

• Durham Massey
• Imperial War Museum London
• The Mac
• Oxford University Museum of Natural History
• Tower of London
• The Whitworth

Once again it is great to see a number of this year’s contenders are National Lottery funded. The revamped Imperial War Museum London, including its new HLF-funded First World War Galleries, opened in July to huge crowds. And in February, The Whitworth Gallery re-opened its doors following a £15million renovation programme, £8.6m of which was funded by HLF.

In fact, what is fascinating is in the history of the Prize, all 12 previous winners were funded by the National Lottery through HLF.

Winners include:

• 2014 Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield
• 2013 The William Morris Gallery, London
• 2010 Ulster Museum, Belfast
• 2006 Brunel's ss Great Britain, Bristol
• 2004 The Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh

It clearly demonstrates the impact of the National Lottery on our museums and galleries. And thanks to Lottery players HLF has helped produce award-winning, world-class cultural centres right across the UK.

This year’s winner of the £100,000 prize will be announced at a ceremony at Tate Modern on Wednesday 1 July.  You can follow events as they unfold on Twitter: @artfund,  #museumoftheyear.

Find out more about the Prize.

We wish all six finalists huge luck.