Today we’re announcing some exciting new details about V&A East Museum, which will open on Saturday 18 April 2026 in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, just a short walk from V&A East Storehouse. Here are five things you need to know!
1. There are two free galleries exploring contemporary global culture
At the heart of V&A East Museum will be two free permanent galleries, where you can see over 500 objects from the V&A’s collections spanning art, architecture, design, performance, and fashion.
The galleries are called Why We Make and visitors can explore the most important issues in contemporary culture with displays revealing unexpected connections across time and creative discipline.
Learn more about how we visualise our place in the world with Molly Goddard’s iconic 2020 Daria dress (as worn by Beyonce) alongside a copy of a 16th century self-portrait by Italian painter Sofinsba Anguilssola and Maud Sulter’s 1988 photographic portrait of Lubaina Himid. Or discover stories of trailblazing creatives, like a 17th Century gown by east London textile designer Anna Maria Garthwaite shown next to a 1990 Cut, Slash & Pull ensemble by Vivienne Westwood, as well as Althea McNish’s pioneering fabric designs, which were inspired by her African Caribbean heritage. Other topics include wellbeing, creative communities, social justice and environmental action.
2. Iconic objects will go on display for the first time
With a number of new acquisitions made to the V&A collection, you’ll be able to see some exciting objects on display for the first time. These include design work by Yasmeen Lari, architectural models by Assemble, and the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh, Jamie Hawkesworth’s Preston Bus Station photographs, Bisila Noha’s sculptural ceramics and one of Yinka Ilori’s early works, his ‘Captain Hook’ armchair (2015), inspired by a school friend and Yoruba parable about destiny and not judging others.
Others include an ensemble by east London-based Irish artist and fashion designer Richard Malone, and an outfit from Lazy Oaf’s recent fashion collaboration with creative King Owusu, whose playful illustrations explore the therapeutic nature of gardening. You can also discover garments by radical design studio and campaigners for planet conscious fashion, VIN + OMI, including eco-textiles made from stinging nettles.
3. The first exhibition is about Black British music
V&A East Museum will open with its first landmark temporary exhibition, The Music Is Black: A British Story. The exhibition will explore how Black British music has shaped British culture from 1900 to the present day and reveal its global impact. Expect to see objects like Joan Armatrading’s childhood guitar (going on display for the first time) alongside fashion worn by Little Simz and newly acquired photographs by artists including Jennie Baptiste, Beezer, Dennis Morris, Eddie Otchere, Sam White and more.
We’ll also be working with BBC Music, UAL: London College of Fashion, Sadler’s Wells East and UCL East on a season of programming inspired by the exhibition, including The Music Is Black Festival from East Bank on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Keep an eye out for more information to follow!
4. There will be new installations by leading contemporary artists
On V&A East Museum’s opening, V&A East will debut a new six-monthly rotating creative commissions programme. Eight new artworks by leading contemporary artists Tania Bruguera, Es Devlin, Lawrence Lek, Turner Prize-nominated artist, Rene Matić, Shahed Saleem, Justinien Tribillon, Carrie Mae Weems, and Laura Wilson will be unveiled across V&A East’s two sites – V&A East Museum and Storehouse. Each of these artists have responded to the history and future of east London’s creativity.
A monumental new work by Thomas J Price, A Place Beyond, will also welcome visitors into V&A East Museum on opening.
5. The café is by the team behind Jikoni
Last but not least, the all important café at V&A East Museum will shaped by a collaboration with Ravinder Bhogal and Nadeem Lalani Nanjuwany, the co-founders of Jikoni. The menu will be inspired by the diverse communities have shaped east London’s incredible food scene – expect global flavours, rotating daily specials, and meal deals for local residents and under-25s. Find out more on our blog post.
Excellent news!
Fabuleux
Sounds Great!! Can’t wait to visit.
This is such excellent and exciting news! Best of luck with the opening!
These new additions to the V&A are inspirational, however would it be an idea to spread the initiative to other areas in the UK. For example in Worcestershire where a new rail hub has opened or Cheltenham where there is negligible contemporary culture , access to museums or exhibitions. An additional venue would revive local communities with employment and economic growth. After all the interest in culture isn’t just limited to London, most artists in all specialisms live outside urban cities as housing is significantly cheaper.
Come on V & A , save our cultural souls.
Bravo!! Very exciting News! I’m French, a total fan of the V@A and I do visit every single time I’m in London this ever so dynamic institution
This New location is One more reason to come even more often to London
Bravo!!!!
Thank you for sharing such valuable information. 🙏
I found the insights really helpful and well-explained. I really appreciate the way you’ve explained the key points.
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