The shortlist for the 2008 Art Fund Prize has been announced.

Four museums are competing for the award, formerly known as the Gulbenkian Prize, which consists of a £100,000 donation.

The winner is chosen by a panel of judges, who will make their decision based on the projects’ “originality, imagination and excellence”.

The British Empire and Commonwealth Museum in Bristol, The Lightbox gallery and museum in Woking, the Shetland Museum and Archives in Shetland and the Wellcome Collection in London all made the shortlist.

Sue MacGregor, chair of the judges, said: “We’ve been greatly impressed by each of the museums we’ve looked at over the past few weeks, and I’m delighted that the shortlist continues our theme of diversity, distinctiveness, and real excellence.”

David Barrie, director of The Art Fund, added: “These four astonishingly diverse projects not only span the country, but also a dizzying range of topics, from slavery and medical science to contemporary art and seafaring. In their very different ways, they prove just how exciting our museums and galleries can be.” Details: www.theartfundprize.org.uk