Membership
Treat yourself or a loved one with the gift of Membership: enjoy free access to all exhibitions, access to our Members’ Room, priority booking to evening talks, and much more.
Join today
Art and the Modern City: New York to London (plus Gallery Talks)
Year course
+44 (0)20 7942 2000
.jpg)
Being up close with treasured objects from the V&A's collections brings your learning to life. Spend time with our incredible collections, alongside expert tutors and your fellow learners.
Tickets available from 10.00 on Wednesday, 4 February 2026
Join us to explore the vibrant relationship between art, artists, and the metropolis, and gain a unique perspective on the development of the arts from the late 19th century to now.
At the end of the 19th century, cities became rivals as centres for art. They were also increasingly a focal point for new conceptions of human society, ranging between capitals of communist revolution, garden city utopias and dystopian science fiction fantasies. 20th century artists – painters, sculptors, architects, photographers and film makers – played a leading role in defining these and other visions of the city. Expert lecturers examine the rise of the modern metropolis, with case studies on Barcelona, New York, Chicago, Shanghai, London and more.
Expert lecturers include Dr Justine Hopkins (freelance lecturer, specialist in 19th- and 20th-century art and design) and Dr Greg Votolato (Course Director at the V&A, specialist in modern design, technology and culture).
Your bespoke learning experience:
Expert lecturers include Dr Justine Hopkins (freelance lecturer, specialist in 19th- and 20th-century art and design) and Dr Greg Votolato (Course Director at the V&A, specialist in modern design, technology and culture).
Your bespoke learning experience:
- Exclusive gallery access: Study unique artefacts from the V&A’s collection in situ with leading experts.
- Ask the experts: Pose your questions directly to V&A experts and subject specialists in our Q&As.
- Behind-the-scenes learning: Access industry insights and learn about how collections are researched, conserved, and interpreted.
- Join a community of learners: Engage with fellow enthusiasts in a supportive, discussion-rich environment.
- Miss a week? No stress: Access recordings of all your lectures as well as study materials through your secure Microsoft Teams online course environment.
Not able to join us in person? You can also attend the course lectures online.
For more details, see V&A Academy questions · V&A.
This course is suitable for participants aged 18 and over.
For more details, see V&A Academy questions · V&A.
This course is suitable for participants aged 18 and over.
Course Leader
Kathy McLauchlan
Dr Kathy McLauchlan, art historian specialising in French painting and lecturer with the Arts Society, Morley College and Oxford University.
I enjoyed learning from people who were extremely knowledgeable and obviously passionate about their subjects. Previous V&A Academy Attendee
Membership Priority Booking will open at 10.00 GMT on 4 February 2026. General Booking will open at 10.00 GMT on Thursday 12 February 2026.
Being up close with treasured objects from the V&A's collections brings your learning to life. Spend time with our incredible collections, alongside expert tutors and your fellow learners.
Course overview
This course provides a unique perspective on the development of the arts by exploring their vibrant relationship between art, artists, and the metropolis from the skyscrapers of New York to London today.
At the end of the 19th century, cities rivalled each other as centres for art. Paris was widely acknowledged to be the capital of modernity. But this status would be contested over the course of the next century by other cities in Europe and America, including Milan, Berlin, New York, and London. At the same time, the city also became a focal point for new conceptions of human society, ranging between capitals of communist revolution, garden city utopias and dystopian science fiction fantasies. 20th-century artists – painters, sculptors, architects, photographers, and film makers – would play a leading role in defining these and other visions of the modern city. Expert lecturers examine the rise of the modern metropolis, with case studies on Barcelona, Prague, New York, Paris, Chicago, and London.
At the end of the 19th century, cities rivalled each other as centres for art. Paris was widely acknowledged to be the capital of modernity. But this status would be contested over the course of the next century by other cities in Europe and America, including Milan, Berlin, New York, and London. At the same time, the city also became a focal point for new conceptions of human society, ranging between capitals of communist revolution, garden city utopias and dystopian science fiction fantasies. 20th-century artists – painters, sculptors, architects, photographers, and film makers – would play a leading role in defining these and other visions of the modern city. Expert lecturers examine the rise of the modern metropolis, with case studies on Barcelona, Prague, New York, Paris, Chicago, and London.
Enrol now
Year course: Art and the Modern City: New York to London (plus Gallery Talks)
20 April 2026 - 29 June 2026
£645.00
Tickets not available yet
Need help enrolling? Talk to the admissions team:
+44 (0)20 7942 2000
Open 10.00 - 13.00, Monday to Sunday (closed 24-26 December)
