Opening date for London’s V&A East Museum announced – The Art Newspaper

The long-awaited V&A East Museum will open on 18 April 2026 in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, completing the institution’s east London cultural campus. Designed by architects O’Donnell + Tuomey, the new museum will aim to spotlight making and the power of creativity to drive social change.

The new five-story building joins the V&A East Storehouse, which opened in 2025, and will sit alongside venues for the BBC, Sadler’s Wells East and London College of Fashion—which together make up the East Bank cultural quarter.

Gus Casely-Hayford, director of V&A East, described the new museum in a statement as “a welcoming space for all, embedded in east London and with a global outlook”. He said: “In today’s world where we’re facing down challenges from the climate crisis to increasing polarisation, museums and the creative industries have a vital role in bringing people together, celebrating communities, sparking conversations and spotlighting the many ways that global artists, designers and makers are using their creativity to change the world for the better.”

The museum will host two free permanent “Why We Make” galleries, co-curated with east London youth groups and designers JA Projects. Featuring over 500 objects from across the V&A’s collection, they will trace themes from representation to wellbeing, justice and environmental action. Works by contemporary artists and designers including Yinka Ilori, Bisila Noha and VIN + OMI will sit alongside, for example, Italian Renaissance painting, Spitalfields silks and Tibetan ritual objects.

The museum will also launch a rolling commissions programme, debuting new works by artists including Tania Bruguera, Carrie Mae Weems and the Turner Prize-nominated artist Rene Matić. A major sculptural installation by Thomas J. Price will greet visitors at the entrance.

The museum will open with the exhibition The Music Is Black: A British Story, charting the influence of Black British music from 1900 to the present day. The show, featuring fashion worn by Little Simz and newly acquired photography, will form part of a wider partnership with BBC Music and a new annual creativity festival held across the East Bank.