The new V&A is opening in east London, here’s everything you can expect

If you love getting lost in the rich culture and history of London’s many wonderful museums and galleries with a coffee in hand, then you are in luck because a new museum is opening in the capital this weekend.

Many of us have mooched around the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in South Kensington and marvelled at Tipu’s Tiger during a rainy weekend, and from Saturday, April 18 you can take your family and friends to the highly-anticipated V&A East Museum in the East End to admire a whole new collection of intriguing artefacts and artworks.

Located in the heart of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, the V&A East Museum is set across a bright, spacious five-storey building designed by architects O’Donnell + Tuomey and has been carefully co-created with young people, creatives, and those living, working and studying in east London.

If you are tempted to see this brand new hub of culture and creativity first hand, here’s what to expect…

The Music Is Black: A British Story

Flocks of locals and tourists are expected to descend on the new museum’s first landmark multisensory exhibition, The Music Is Black: A British Story, this weekend which takes visitors on a journey of how Black British music has shaped British culture over the last 125 years and its wider impact around the world.

Joan Armatrading’s childhood guitar, fashion worn by Seal, Sade and Skin, the Comme des Garcons outfit worn by Little Simz in 2023 and Grooverider’s first turntable and newly-acquired photographs by Eddie Otchere are just a few of the exciting items on display.

The Union flag vest designed by Banksy that English rapper Stormzy wore on the Pyramid Stage during his history-making performance at Glastonbury 2019 is also predicted to be a particularly popular exhibit.

Stormzy’s 2019 Glastonbury performance was a defining cultural moment (Yui Mok/PA)

Numerous Glastonbury headliners collaborate with designers on custom pieces, but the bespoke bulletproof designed by the world famous anonymous artist had a particularly powerful cultural impact that is commemorated in the The Music Is Black: A British Story exhibition.

Why We Make galleries

Alongside its ever-changing programme of temporary exhibitions, the heart of V&A East Museum will be the Why We Make galleries – a permanent, free display offering a fresh perspective on contemporary culture through the V&A’s collections.

Designed by JA_Projects in collaboration with A Practice For Everyday Life, Larry Achiampong, and the V&A East Youth Collective, the galleries encompass more than 500 objects drawn from the museum’s impressive collection of art, architecture, design, performance, and fashion.

The galleries also attain a series of co-produced projects created with east London-based residents, artists and creatives, including displays by artist and designer Sahra Hersi and Hackney-based photographer Tom Hunter, created in collaboration with the V&A East Youth Collective.

New Work

Make sure to put the New Work section, a new twice yearly rotating programme of creative commissions, on your must-visit list if you want to keep your finger on the pulse of the best up-and-coming artists.

The inaugural edition unveils newly-commissioned works by Turner Prize-nominated Rene Matic, Justinien Tribillon, Carrie Mae Weems, Tania Bruguera and Laura Wilson, on their unique takes of the “Making East London” theme.

Dispersal

Dispersal is an exciting new temporary display which encompasses insightful photographs by Marion Davies and Debra Rapp, who documented the people and workplaces of east London-based labour businesses at threat of closure or relocation due to the development of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Café Jikoni

Every great museum needs an equally great cafe, and V&A East does not disappoint.

Visitors can relax, rewind and enjoy a coffee in Café Jikoni, which is an exciting partnership with the restaurant group known for “cooking across borders”.

Commenting on the museum’s opening, Gus Casely-Hayford, V&A East director, said: “Over 10 years in the making, we’re delighted to open V&A East Museum, a space created with and for our audiences, including young people and east Londoners, in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

“Sister site to V&A East Storehouse, it’s part of East Bank and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic legacy. Everyone is welcome at V&A East Museum. From The Music Is Black: A British Story to our Why We Make galleries, New Work commissions and live events and activities, we hope you see yourself, your stories, and experiences represented here.”