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“We’re transforming access, maximizing transparency, and removing barriers to the creative riches within the world’s leading collection of art, design and performance.”
These are the words of Tim Reeve, Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum, speaking about the newly opened V&A East Storehouse—a groundbreaking public space in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park that reimagines how a museum collection can be experienced. At a time when many museum objects remain behind the scenes, the Storehouse flips the script. With over 250,000 objects, 350,000 books, and 1,000 archives drawn from the V&A’s vast holdings—spanning painting, sculpture, performance, fashion, architecture, and pop culture—this is not just a new location. It’s a new model of public access.
A Collection No Longer Hidden
Occupying a striking new building designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, the V&A East Storehouse invites visitors into what was once the museum’s backstage. But here, nothing is hidden. From the moment you enter, you’re encouraged to explore freely: curated “encounter” displays lead you through highlights and unexpected treasures, while glass walls reveal working conservation labs and archive spaces in action.
Whether you're a student, a researcher, or just an art lover with curiosity, the Storehouse is designed to let you connect with the collection on your own terms.
“Order an Object”: Your Own Museum Moment
One of the Storehouse’s most exciting features is the “Order an Object” service. With just a few clicks, visitors can request specific items from the collection to view up close in the Study Room. Whether it's a rare fashion sketch, a Japanese print, or a piece of historical furniture, the process is simple—and completely free.
The aim is to break down traditional barriers between institutions and individuals. As Reeve has said, this is about “rethinking what a museum can be in the 21st century—open, democratic, and responsive.”
Designed for Discovery
Spread across more than 16,000 square meters, the Storehouse is anything but a static warehouse. Instead, it’s part gallery, part archive, part working studio. More than 100 mini-exhibitions are integrated into the building’s shelves and walkways. Visitors can discover a 15th-century altarpiece one moment, and a Vivienne Westwood ensemble the next.
For fans of contemporary culture, there's even more to come: The David Bowie Centre for the Study of Performing Arts will open on-site in September 2025, housing over 80,000 items from the icon’s personal archive.
Free and Open to All
Access is at the heart of the V&A East Storehouse’s mission. Entry is free, and the experience is designed to be welcoming and intuitive, whether you're popping in for inspiration or planning a deeper dive. There are guided tours available, but self-led discovery is equally encouraged.
The Storehouse also hosts regular talks, creative workshops, and drop-in sessions for local schools and communities—another example of how the V&A is thinking beyond the traditional museum visit.
A New Chapter for Museum Culture
In bringing one of the world’s greatest collections out of storage and into the public eye, the V&A East Storehouse challenges old definitions of what museums are for—and who they are for.
It’s not just a place to look at art, but a place to learn, explore, and connect. As Reeve puts it, “We want to make it feel like this is your collection—because it is.”
