Organisation of the V&A

The Victoria and Albert Museum is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and is a charity exempt from registration under the Charities Act of 1993. It operates at arm's length from the Government and is governed by a board of Trustees appointed by the Prime Minister.

As the world's leading museum of art and design, the V&A enriches people's lives by promoting the practice of design and increasing knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of the designed world.

• Martin Roth is the Director of the V&A

The six collecting departments at the Victoria and Albert Museum care for the objects in the collection. The curators carry out research, make new acquisitions, record information about the collections, and answer public and scholarly enquiries. They present the objects to the public through major exhibitions, small displays, study collections, reference facilities, publications and other activities.

The Research department works with other Museum departments to further the role of research in the V&A. It aims to maintain the lively and stimulating research culture that underpins exhibitions, scholarly and popular publications (paper and electronic), gallery development, postgraduate teaching, conferences and seminars.

The Learning Department runs a year-round programme of events for a range of audiences, both in the galleries and in the state-of-the-art Sackler Centre for arts education.

Public Affairs is responsible for the V&A brand and for museum's relationship with all visitors. The division includes: Press office, Marketing, Exhibitions, Contemporary programmes, The V&A website & digital strategy and The V&A Channel.

The Development department raises money for the V&A for building and renovation projects, exhibitions, acquisitions and education at the Museum. The department runs the Membership programme on behalf of the Friends of the V&A, and is the point of contact for individuals who wish to support the Museum’s work through donations, joining the Director’s Circle or remembering the V&A in their will.

Find out more about the work of the V&A's departments, or download the V&A Organisational Structure, July 2012 (PDF 53.2 KB)