Upcoming Paid Youth Project at V&A East in collaboration with Elijah and Music & Culture Journalist Laviea Thomas
Deadline for applications: 11:59pm on Wednesday 18th March
As cultural institutions, Museums function as social spaces – places for civic engagement, public forums, and meaningful discussion. They offer environments grounded in mutual respect, where debate, listening, and creative expression can flourish.
Through two new exciting projects at V&A East: ‘Making Sounds’ and ‘Sounds & Stories’, we hope that music, journalism, and other creative practices can allow for young people to share new ideas, represent themselves, and collaborate with one another in fresh and imaginative ways.
“Through the ‘Sounds & Stories‘ project at V&A East, we hope to open a space for conversations about the programming of the inaugural exhibition at V&A East Museum: The Music is Black: A British Story. This exhibition examines the layered complexities of British identity through the lens of Black British experiences. The exhibition acknowledges the enduring impact of colonialism and recognises how Black British identities are shaped by histories of migration, resistance, cultural exchange, and global connection. Spanning four continents and 12 decades, the exhibition is a story of excellence and struggle, resilience and joy.
We’re looking for 15 young East Londoners to embark on a paid creative project that will respond to themes of resistance, decolonisation, Black British music and identity. The project will be rooted in exploring the story of how Black British music has shaped British culture. We’re looking for young people who are passionate and curious about working together to respond to themes of resistance and celebration of Black British music through collaborative creative practice.
In collaboration with Elijah, participants on the Sounds & Stories programme will produce short form stories/videos out of the content in the exhibition. The aim is to support participants in building confidence in public with their ideas and developing production skills. Music Journalist Laviea Thomas will also be upskilling participants in developing written interview skills and broadcast journalism skills – from Voxpops to Panel Talks.
Participants on Sounds & Stories will collaborate with a group of young creatives from another V&A East project called Making Sound. Making Sound is all about creating music, digging into archives, and learning how the music industry really works — designed specifically for young people who haven’t stepped into a museum before. Making Sound is delivered in partnership with Ruff Sqwad Arts Foundation, so it isn’t open for applications. But if you’re excited by the crossover and keen to work with other young people you can apply for Sounds & Stories.
We hope that by being provided a platform and agency, participants on both projects will increase confidence and visibility. With a focus on employability and producing, our hope is that participants will develop creative responses to the music industry whilst forming supportive networks between the groups. Through peer connection, the intention is that participants will build agency and a sense of belonging, resulting in increased visibility for their craft and an increase in confidence.
The work on Sounds & Stories will involve peer‑led interviews and the creation of spaces where young people can speak, question, and be heard. These spaces will support open discussion and the intention is to build environments that are safe, brave, and accountable—places where plurality is valued, and where the impact of Black British Music can be explored with honesty and depth.
Topics will be decided by participants in response to The Music Is Black exhibition, but the process is likely to include:
- Workshops around content creation producing short form videos which will be posted on the V&A East instagram
- The development of written interview skills
- Upskilling in Broadcast journalism (Voxpops)
- The co-creation of a zine publication capturing the discussions
- A showcase event
Please note this opportunity will be largely focussed on creating content around the music industry, through digital or written journalism.
What will I gain from the programme?
- A fee of £14.80 per hour (London Living Wage) towards your time
- Experience creating short form video content and music journalism pieces including written articles and Voxpop interviews
- Exposure to leading artists and Music Journalists
- Develop your collaboration, communication, creative and critical thinking skills
- Creative workshops and a group trip
- Exposure to leading artists in the field of music
- Participants will develop collaboration, communication, creative and critical thinking skills as part of a collective
- Participants will creatively interpret the exhibition, including on V&A social media platforms, creating their own interpretations of the Music is Black exhibition at V&A East Museum
- Participants will engage in meaningful discussion about decolonisation, resistance and joy in relation to Black British Music
- Additional opportunities to showcase your ideas and participate in the V&A East project
Am I eligible?
We are looking to engage a cohort of young participants from East London with an interest in music, music journalism, and exploring Black British music and its influences. We particularly welcome applicants from under-represented backgrounds and recognise the intersections of these identities. This includes those who are: working class, migrant, diasporic, LGBTQIA, global majority minority, low-income and/or neurodivergent. To apply you must:
- Be 16 – 24 years old
- Commit to attending all sessions
- Live in East London
- Please note, to receive payment you must have the legal right to work in the UK
Please note that we expect to be oversubscribed for this opportunity so spaces are not guaranteed.
Programme details:
Sessions will be held at both V&A East Museum and V&A East Storehouse. The cohort will attend 11 sessions in person on the following dates, from 6pm – 8pm:
April
Thursday 9th – session 1
Thursday 23rd – session 2 – trip to TMIB exhibition at V&A East Museum
May
Thursday 7th – session 3
Thursday 21st session 4
June
Thursday 4th – session 5
Thursday 18th – session
July
Thursday 2nd – Session 7
Thursday 9th – session 8
Thursday 16th – session 9
Thursday 23rd – session 10
Thursday 30th – session 11
August
Showcase event – date TBC
If you are passionate and curious about working collaboratively to respond creatively to themes of resistance and celebration of Black British music, we want to hear from you!
Please follow the link here to apply
If you have any questions, contact Lucy on: va-east-engagement@vam.ac.uk
