Explore the Collections allows users to search, tour and discover more than 1.2 million objects from the V&A’s vast collections.
It is part of the museum’s aim to revolutionise access to collections. This will lead up to the new collections and research centre at V&A East.
V&A East is part of East Bank, a culture and education quarter in Stratford. It includes a five-storey museum and a new collection and research centre, and is opening in 2023.
Explore the Collections launches in beta
Explore the Collections features data, stories, images and content about the collections, and boasts a redesigned user experience with a story-led approach.
“This new platform comes at a vital time when the way audiences engage with museums and their collections has changed dramatically – particularly during the last year of the global pandemic,” said Tim Reeve, Deputy Director & COO at the V&A.
“‘Explore the Collections’ is one of the museum’s most significant digital undertakings to date, and supports the V&A’s goal of revolutionising access to the V&A’s collections, and diversifying and expanding audiences, as we expand towards east London and V&A East.
“While the museum’s doors remain closed, the platform provides a vital resource for research and discovery of the V&A’s public collections to a worldwide audience.”
Collections and research centre at V&A East
Explore the Collections, which includes enhanced search features, has launched in beta. It will be constantly developed and updated over the next few months.
“Over the last two years we have reimagined how we want to share information about the incredible objects in our collection,” said Kati Price, Head of Digital Media and Publishing at the V&A.
“From handbags to Raphael, and from jewellery to kimono, we wanted to celebrate our stories about material culture – now and for the future.
“The V&A looks after over 2.3m exceptional objects, archives and books, but much of what we hold cannot be displayed in our buildings. This project is about sharing as much as we can, with as many people as possible.”
