The V&A’s British Galleries – 25 Years On (Online)

The British Galleries (2001) were the V&A’s largest and most ambitious gallery project since WWII, immediately gaining national acclaim and going on to win European Museum of the Year (2003). Covering roughly 10% of the South Kensington gallery space and displaying nearly 3000 objects, they tell a story of design and art in Britain from the Tudors to the end of the Victorian era. Internationally, they have been widely influential for their approach to historical narratives, audiences and gallery interpretation. They marked a watershed in V&A practice and informed the museum’s own template for subsequent galleries.    

This half-day event will present a series of talks and a panel discussion reflecting on the galleries, and how a future British Galleries might respond to the many changes in contemporary culture and creative practice since 2001. A wide range of speakers will address topics including gallery narrative and design, technology and community engagement.   

This event will be hybrid. Attendees will be able to register to attend in person or online.   
The event will be recorded and the recordings will be made available after the event.

The event is supported by the Oliver Ford Foundation and Prof. Maurice Howard   

The Britain 1500-1900 galleries will remain open until 9pm on the day