The Archdiocesan Museum in Olomouc will be vying for the title of European Museum of the Year in Dublin

The chance to gain significant international recognition belongs to the Archdiocesan Museum Olomouc (AMO). It has advanced as the representative of the Czech Republic to the finals of the prestigious European Museum of the Year Award 2008. The winners will be announced at the annual meeting of the European Museum Forum in Dublin, Ireland, from May 14 to 17.
To culminate the competition, which has been held by the Council of Europe since 1977, the Museum of Art Olomouc (MUO) will send a representative to present the AMO project to the expert jury. "The competition began for us last year. At the end of July, our museum was visited by Swiss commissioner Hans R. Woodtly, who evaluated the architectural appearance of the museum, but primarily the services for the public. The so-called public quality, which refers to how the museum caters to visitors and their demands, is the main criterion for the evaluation by the European Museum Forum," recalled art historian Ondřej Jakubec, who will represent the Olomouc museum in Dublin.
The Archdiocesan Museum has already been included in the category of Nominated Museums. From these, candidates for the Main Award and the Micheletti Award will be selected, which is intended for the most innovative museums in terms of scientific, industrial, or technological achievements. Additionally, the European Museum Forum also recommends a candidate for the Council of Europe Award. This has already been awarded in advance to the Svalbard Museum in Longyearbyen, Norway. "Regardless of the final verdict, participation in the finals is a significant achievement and a recognition of the high standard of services provided. All participants will receive a certificate from the president of the European Museum Forum,” Jakubec pointed out.
"The Dublin finale of the competition will undoubtedly be the most important test in the short history of the museum. We are curious to see how we will perform in selected European competition," added MUO director Pavel Zatloukal, stating that the Archdiocesan Museum Olomouc, which was established according to the design of the Prague architectural office HŠH, has already received several awards in the Czech Republic. "For example, it became one of the five Buildings of the Year 2007 in a competition organized by ABF - the Foundation for the Development of Architecture and Construction," Zatloukal reminded.
The Archdiocesan Museum Olomouc, a joint project of the Museum of Art Olomouc, the Olomouc Archbishopric, and the Czech state, was opened in June 2006. The permanent exhibition in the reconstructed premises of the former Přemysl Castle presents over 300 works from the Romanesque style to Baroque, including the famous Šternberk Madonna and Bishop Troyer's carriage. In addition to the permanent exhibition, the museum also hosts temporary exhibitions and accompanying events.

PREVIOUS AWARDS OF THE ARCHDIOCESAN MUSEUM OLOMOUC
Olomouc Region Award for contribution in the field of culture in 2006 (Award for exceptional achievement in the field of protection and popularization of cultural values)
Building of the Year Olomouc Region 2006 in the category "Public Utility Buildings"
Gloria musaealis 2006 - II. place in the category "Museum Achievement of the Year 2006"
European Union Prize for architecture (Mies van der Rohe Award 2007 - nomination for the Czech Republic, but did not make it to the shortlist)
Building of the Year 2007 - one of five main awards in a competition organized by ABF - the Foundation for the Development of Architecture and Construction (the jury selected winners from fifty new or reconstructed buildings serving various purposes).