The award was announced on 18 June at a reception at the Royal Institute of British Architects in London. Announcing the winner, Chairman of Judges, David Puttnam, said

“The Wedgwood Museum brilliantly highlights the marriage of art, design, manufacturing and commerce; a marriage that resonates more today than at possibly any time in the intervening years. In every respect it fully meets our criteria of what a 21st century museum should aspire to be.”

Gaye Blake Roberts, director of the Wedgwood Museum Trust said:

"Everyone at the Wedgwood Museum is thrilled and excited at the news. The Art Fund Prize is the most prestigious award in the museum world and to receive such recognition for the new museum is undoubtedly the very best thing that has happened."

"To have won is a great honour for The Wedgwood Museum Trust and Staffordshire, and we all feel very privileged that the new museum has received such acclaim and recognition. We also hope that the local economy will benefit from the national and international attention this award brings with it."

The Wedgwood Museum was the runaway winner in the Guardian.co.uk's online poll in which over 27,000 people voted.