The V&A East Museum in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London has set an opening date for 18 April 2026.
Designed by architects O’Donnell + Tuomey, the new museum is a sister site to the V&A East Storehouse, which opened in May.
V&A East Museum is a five-storey space that brings together the fields of art, design, fashion, music and performance.
It has been co-created with young people, creatives, and people living, working and studying in east London.
JA Projects
Gus Casely-Hayford, V&A East's director, said the museum is "a welcoming space for all, embedded in east London".
The museum's "global outlook", he added, "reflects the multiculturalism of this incredible place that has been the beating heart of creativity for centuries".
As well as an opening date, the V&A East Museum has announced details of its permanent galleries and inaugural exhibition.
The first exhibition is titled The Music is Black: A British Story and includes a sound experience by Sennheiser.
It spans from 1900 to the present day and reveals how Black British music has shaped British culture.
Free galleries at V&A East Museum
Objects on view will include Joan Armatrading’s childhood guitar, outfits worn by Little Simz, and photography by Dennis Morris and Jennie Baptiste.
Across two floors, the museum also includes two free permanent Why We Make galleries, showcasing more than 500 objects from the V&A's collections.
Jen McLachlan, V&A East's project director, said: “Our design is driven by the idea of openness — a building that welcomes its community, celebrates creativity, and frames the exchange between art, people, and place.
"It’s not just a museum, but a civic space for dialogue, discovery, and shared experience."
V&A East Storehouse
The museum is part of the £1.1 billion East Bank development, which also includes the BBC, Sadler’s Wells, UAL’s London College of Fashion, and UCL East.
"V&A East Museum is for you – my hope is you’ll find joy, something of yourself and a sense of belonging the moment you walk through the door," said Casely-Hayford.
Images courtesy of V&A
