Young V&A opens as London’s major new free destination for children, families, and young people after an extensive £13m three-year redevelopment.
Previously the V&A Museum of Childhood, Young V&A showcases the transformative power of creativity, displaying inspiring stories of children’s ingenuity alongside approximately 2,000 works from the V&A’s collections. Dating from 2,300 BC to today and from all around the world, objects are displayed in unique and imaginative ways to ensure Young V&A is packed full of serious fun and playful learning at every turn. The redevelopment is the most significant intervention in the building’s 150-year history and has completely transformed the museum. Encompassing three new galleries, a suite of new, larger and better-equipped workshop and learning spaces, a purpose-built 515m² gallery for showcasing major exhibitions, a new shop and café, the entire museum has been redesigned around children, young people, schools and families. Over 22,000 schoolchildren, teachers, Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and community groups, families and local people helped shape the project, and their impact and ideas can be seen throughout the museum.
The new galleries Play, Imagine and Design are designed with different age groups in mind, from babies to teens, but open for all to explore. Each features new interactives and activities inspired by the collections, where children and their families can have fun together expressing their creativity, with immersive optical illusions, a performance area and stage, a marble run, a self-portrait maker and an open design studio- plus much more. The project celebrates and restores the building’s iconic Victorian architecture – original windows have been uncovered allowing natural light to flood into the space, and the 19th century marble mosaic floor has been restored and revealed. Spaces have been designed with a focus on accessibility and inclusivity, with significant improvements to circulation and noise, and galleries designed consciously around the needs of SEND visitors. Young V&A will be a cultural and educational resource for schools across the country, offering a self-guided visits and workshops year-round, from this October. To celebrate the opening, Young V&A is hosting a free Summer Festival. Taking place on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 July visitors are invited to explore everything the museum has to offer, with a series of fun activities and performances from local talent such as Britain’s Got Talent finalists IMD Dance, the east London based Grand Union Youth Orchestra, and hula-hoop group Marawa’s Majorettes. Visitors can get creative, adding their contributions to a large-scale installation that will grow over the weekend.
