The Stained Glass Museum Achieves National Recognition of Excellence
(13 Feb. 2026)

Museum’s entire collection is awarded Designated Status as the national collection of stained glass
The Stained Glass Museum in Ely, Cambridgeshire, has been awarded Designated Status by Arts Council England, placing it among a select group of institutions whose collections are recognised as being of national significance. This prestigious accolade celebrates the exceptional range, quality, and importance of the museum’s collection, which spans more than 800 years of stained glass history.

Designated status has been awarded to the museum’s entire collection, including its collection of glass, preparatory designs and cartoons, and specialist tools and sample materials used to make stained glass, recognising it as one of the most significant collections of its kind in the country.

Founded in 1972, The Stained Glass Museum has spent more than five decades championing the artistic, technical and cultural importance of stained glass. This prestigious recognition acknowledges the museum’s leading role in using its collections to promote research, conservation and public engagement with this unique art form. Designated Status is granted to only a small number of non-national museums, galleries, libraries and archives across England and Wales. It is a mark of distinction that demonstrates how collections play a significant role in deepening our understanding of the world and our shared cultural heritage. This award acknowledges The Stained Glass Museum’s proactive commitment to developing its collections, and its dedication to improving research and interpretation to further the understanding and enjoyment of stained glass for diverse audiences, both now and in the future.

Dr Jasmine Allen, Director and Curator at The Stained Glass Museum says: “Achieving Designated status is a real accomplishment for our team, and an important step towards achieving our vision for the museum to be ‘a national centre for the enjoyment and understanding of stained glass through storytelling, creativity and research’. It underlines the important role The Stained Glass Museum’s collections play in the public understanding of the history and development of stained glass in Britain – not only through our public gallery, learning, outreach and events programme, but also through research projects, partnerships, publications, conferences, and increasingly loans to other cultural institutions.”

Mark Hosea, Chair of the Board of Trustees of The Stained Glass Museum added: “We are delighted to have been awarded Designated Status by Arts Council England, recognizing the significance of the entire collection of The Stained Glass Museum. The strength and depth of the collection was fully acknowledged by the expert assessment panel who recognized its ‘comprehensive representation of stained glass as a national craft, including significant artworks, technological developments, and links to endangered craft skills’. We hope that this Designated Status will act as a foundation for future growth and help us to strengthen existing and develop new partnerships, secure further funding, and help facilitate and generate new research into stained glass as a living art form with a long and rich tradition in this country.”

Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England said: "The Stained Glass Museum's Collection tells the story of British and international stained glass making over nine centuries. Alongside the beauty and expertise to be found in the panels on display, visitors can also track significant periods of change for society, and eventually see the world we live in reflected back at them. This expertly curated and cared-for museum is a significant addition to our network of Designated collections. Congratulations to The Stained Glass Museum on this achievement which recognises collections of national significance."

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