RESOURCES
Study Rooms
'Frozen Sky', clock in memory of Julie Breckman. Langlands and Bell, 2004
In addition to its extensive galleries, the Victoria and Albert Museum has the National Art Library, the Archives and Library Reading Room at Blythe House , and a number of other study rooms where additional material from the collections can be viewed.
The Prints & Drawings Study Room
Prints & Drawings Study Room, Level 4, Henry Cole Wing, V&A
Tel:+44(0)20 7942 2563
Fax:+44(0)20 7942 2410
Email: pdp@vam.ac.uk
Opening Times
The rooms are open 10.00-17.00, Tuesday to Saturday. Last requests to view material from the V&A Prints & Drawings collection should be submitted by 16.00.
Planned Closures during 2010
Easter
Closed from 17.00 Thursday 1st April
Re-opening at 10.00 on Tuesday 6th April
May Bank Holidays
Closed from 17.00 Friday 30th April
Re-opening at 10.00 on Tuesday 4th May
Closed from 17.00 Friday 28th May
Re-opening at 10.00 on Tuesday 1st June
Annual stocktake
Closed from 17.00 Saturday 14th August
Re-opening at 10.00 on Tuesday 31st August
Christmas holiday
Closed from 17.00 Thursday 23rd Dec.
Re-opening at 10.00 on Tuesday 4th Jan. 2011
EXCEPT for Thursday 30th Dec. when open 10.00-17.00 Access and Facilities for Visitors with Disabilities
The following guide describes access arrangements and services and facilities for disabled visitors to the Prints & Drawings Study Room, the National Art Library and the Blythe House Reading Room, Olympia.
Study Room Services for People with Disabilities (PDF 64 Kb)
Study Room Services for People with Disabilities - Large Print Version (PDF 68 Kb)
What is the Prints & Drawings Study Room?
The Prints & Drawings Study Room is where you can study and enjoy the V&A's wonderful collections of prints, drawings, paintings and photographs.
For further details and to search the online catalogue of objects that you can view in the Prints & Drawings Study Room, please see the Study Room Catalogues.
What Can Be Seen in the Prints & Drawings Study Room?
You have access to 750,000 objects, including designs for all the arts, watercolours, old master drawings, photographs, commercial graphics, greeting cards, playing cards, fashion plates, posters and wallpapers ... and much more.
A unique feature is a double-sided clock entitled Frozen Sky 2004, designed by the artists Langlands & Bell, and donated by Robert Breckman in memory of his wife Julie. It is lettered with well-known airport codes of the world and revolves in perpetual motion according to Greenwich Mean Time.
What Does It Offer?
- an opportunity to study and enjoy great works of art at first hand
- a quiet, comfortable environment where you can look at objects at your leisure
- help from staff if you are unsure of how to conduct your search
- a small library of reference books
- an online catalogue of most of the prints, drawings, paintings and photographs in the Museum's collections
- access to a range of electronic resources, including general internet searching and online databases
- camera stands to aid photography for study purposes
- a magnificent architectural space, with rooftop views
Who Can Use It?
Individuals:
The Study Room is freely available to adults and children alike and there is no restriction on admission.
Groups:
Groups are always welcome but an appointment must be made in advance.
Please contact:
Tel:+44(0)20 7942 2211
Email: bookings.office@vam.ac.uk
How Do I Use It?
Please leave your coat and bags in the cloakroom on Level O. You will be given a clear plastic bag to bring anything you need to have with you in the Study Room. Please don't bring any food, drink, chewing gum, ballpoint pens or newspapers with you as these are harmful to the objects.
Once in the Study Room, you look up the objects you want to see on our online catalogue and then order them using the slips provided. Staff will then go and retrieve the material for you. Although there is no limit to the number of items you may order, we put through requests four at a time to manage the amount of material in the Study Room.
Opinions Service
An Opinions Service is run in the Prints & Drawings Study Room on the first Tuesday of every month,14.30-17.00. V&A staff will give opinions (but not valuations) on visitors' own prints, drawings, portrait miniatures, photographs, watercolours and works believed to be by John Constable.
RIBA Architecture Study Room at the V&A
RIBA Architecture Study Room, Level 4, V&A
Tel: +44(0)20 7942 2043 or +44(0)20 7307 3708
Email: drawings&archives@inst.riba.org
Free admission
The V&A is working in partnership with the RIBA to provide access to the RIBA's outstanding collection of architectural drawings and manuscripts in the RIBA Architecture Study Rooms, housed alongside the V&A's Prints & Drawings Study Room. An appointment system operates for the RIBA material.
The collections available comprise:
- the RIBA's collection of drawings and archives
- the V&A's collection of drawings , photographs and prints
Opening Times
The rooms are open Tuesday - Friday, 10.00- 17.00.
Planned Closures during 2010
Easter
Closed from 17.00 Thursday 1st April
Re-opening at 10.00 on Tuesday 6th April
May Bank Holidays
Closed from 17.00 Friday 30th April
Re-opening at 10.00 on Tuesday 4th May
Closed from 17.00 Friday 28th May
Re-opening at 10.00 on Tuesday 1st June
Annual stocktake
Closed from 17.00 Saturday 14th August
Re-opening at 10.00 on Tuesday 31st August
Christmas holiday
Closed from 17.00 Thursday 23rd Dec.
Re-opening at 10.00 on Tuesday 4th Jan. 2011
EXCEPT for Thursday 30th Dec. when open 10.00-17.00
British Architectural Library at the RIBA
The British Architectural Library is based at the Riba , 66 Portland Place, London. It includes the RIBA Photographs Collection. For further details please see the RIBA website.
South & South-East Asia Study Room
The reserve collection of paintings and textiles from South & South-East Asia can be viewed in the section’s Study Room. The collection is available by appointment only, from Tuesday to Thursday inclusive.
For further details or to make an appointment:
+44(0)20 7942 2322 / 2323 / 2334
Email: asia.enquiries@vam.ac.uk
Ceramics Study Room
Most objects in the visible storage displays in the Ceramics Study Galleries (Rooms 136 to 139 on Level 6), can be viewed close up in the Ceramics Study Room off Room 139. This service is available by appointment only, from Monday to Friday each week between 10 am and 12 pm and between 2 pm and 4 pm.
Please note that apointments need to be made at least two full working days in advance and are subject to availability and the suitability of the objects to be shown in this manner.
For further details or to make an appointment:
+44(0)20 7942 2073 (Western Ceramics) or +44(0)20 7942 2244 (Asian Ceramics)
Email: ceramicsstudyroom@vam.ac.uk
Textiles Study Rooms
The Textiles Study Rooms |
A large collection of framed textiles are available for study without appointment in the Textiles Study Rooms, daily from 10.00 to 17.00.
For further information:
+44(0)20 7942 2682
Email: textilesandfashion@vam.ac.uk