The project "Virtual Tours to Azorean Museums" and the Angra do Heroísmo Museum have been distinguished at the award ceremony for the Portuguese Association of Museology (APOM) Prizes 2013, held last Friday in Lisbon.

The Tourist Information Prize was awarded to the project "Virtual Tours to Azorean Museums," an initiative managed by the Regional Directorate for Culture. With this project, the Azores aim to disseminate the richness of their cultural heritage, available on the Azores Culture portal at the address: http://www.culturacores.azores.gov.pt/videos/visitasvirtuais/.

On this portal one can have the opportunity of going on a comfortable, dynamic, versatile and interactive tour to several Azorean museums, including the Carlos Machado Museum in Ponta Delgada, the Angra do Heroísmo Museum and the Pico Museum, with special on its areas dedicated to the Whaling Industry, Whalers and Wine.

The Graciosa Museum, the Horta Museum, and the "Casa Manuel de Arriaga" can also be visited virtually.

The Prize for Best Extension Service/Educational Services was awarded to the Angra do Heroísmo Museum, whose lines of action and activities are focused on the promotion of quality, originality and innovation.

The Educational Services of the Angra do Heroísmo Museum develops and promotes guided tours to permanent and temporary exhibitions, dramatisations, educational and themed games as well as educational activities and workshops for schools and the public in general.

The APOM awards are intended to annually distinguish the Best Portuguese Museum, the Best Exhibition, the Best Catalogue, Best Cultural Extension Service, the Best Work on Museology and/or the Best Museum Work, the Best Tourist Information, among other categories.

The purpose of these prizes is to encourage and acknowledge the imagination and creativity of Portuguese museologists and their effective contribution to improving the quality of museums in Portugal This initiative is also an opportunity to enhance the visibility of what we do best in the area of museology.

Founded in 1965, APOM has awarded prizes since 1997. The APOM awards have distinguished museums, projects, museum professionals and activities developed in this area.