Here’s What’s On at The V&A Right Now

Here’s what to book and look forward to over the coming months, with our guide to what’s on at the V&A. Plus: don’t forget to pay a visit to the all-new Young V&A – which opened in summer 2023, encouraging visitors of all ages to play, imagine and design – and keep your eyes peeled for news about the incoming V&A East in Stratford.

What’s On At The V&A In 2024?

• DIVA (until 7 April 2024)
• Japan: Myths to Manga (until 11 August 2024, at the Young V&A)
• Tropical Modernism: Architecture and Independence (until 22 September 2024)

Whitney Houston performing at Wembley Arena, London, UK. 5 May 1988. Photo © David Corio

DIVA

This celebration of creativity will recognise the work of iconic performers, from today’s global megastars all the way back to the biggest names in Victorian opera. DIVA will explore what it means to be a diva, how this title has been both subverted, embraced and redefined and its evolution through time. Featuring fashion, photography, design, costumes, music and live performance drawn from the V&A collection and loans from across the world, DIVA will surely have you on the edge of your metaphorical seat from start to finish.

Details: Until 7 April 2024 at V&A South Kensington. vam.ac.uk

My Neighbour Totoro. © 1988 Studio Ghibli

Japan: Myths To Manga

Supported by Toshiba

The first exhibition at the all-new Young V&A will transport visitors through Japanese history to explore how landscape and folklore have influenced popular culture, technology, and design. Showcasing Studio Ghibli, Pokémon, manga-inspired fashion and more, this exhibition will celebrate the playfulness at the core of Japanese culture.

Details: 14 October 2023–11 August 2024 at Young V&A (Cambridge Heath Rd, Bethnal Green, London E2 9PA). vam.co.uk

Film still of Unity Hall, KNUST, Kumasi by John Owuso Addo
and Miro Marasović – for ‘Tropical Modernism – Architecture
and Independence’ © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Tropical Modernism: Architecture and Independence

Architecture enthusiasts shouldn’t miss this intriguing exhibition, exploring how a distinct design style emerged from modernism and decolonisation. Learn all about it – plus how to integrate it into your own home – here.

Details: 2 March–22 September 2024 at The Porter Gallery, V&A South Kensington (Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL). Tickets are £14; members visit for free. vam.ac.uk

What Exhibitions Are Coming To The V&A In The Future?

• Fragile Beauty (opens 18 May 2024)
• NAOMI (opens 22 June 2024)
• The Music is Black (opens at the V&A East Museum in 2025)

Versace Dress (Back View), El Mirage 1990 © Herb Ritts Foundation, Courtesy of Fahey Klein Gallery, Los Angeles

Fragile Beauty: Photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collection

In partnership with Gucci

A new major exhibition celebrating modern and contemporary photography is coming to the V&A – all thanks to legendary musician Sir Elton John and his husband David Furnish. The pair will loan over 300 rare prints to the V&A from their private collection, showcasing the work of more than 140 photographers working from the 1950s to the present day, and casting a spotlight on most photos for the very first time. Fragile Beauty will be the V&A’s largest temporary exhibition of photography to date. Notable photographers include Robert Mapplethorpe, Cindy Sherman, William Eggleston, Diane Arbus, Sally Mann, Zanele Muholi, Ai Weiwei, Carrie Mae Weems, with their work collected by John and Furnish over a period of 30 years. Visitors can expect the incredible collection to be separated across eight thematic sections, exploring topics such as fashion, reportage, celebrity, the male body, and American photography with subjects spanning stars of the stage and screen, including Marilyn Monroe, Miles Davis and Chet Baker, as well as iconic images from key moments of history from the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, AIDS activism of the 1980s and the events of 11 September 2001.

Details: 18 May 2024–5 January 2025 at V&A South Kensington. vam.ac.uk

© Marco Bahler

NAOMI

A landmark exhibition chronicling Naomi Campbell’s incredible 40-year career to date has recently been announced at the V&A, coming in summer 2024. Here’s exactly what to expect.

Details: From 22 June 2024 at V&A South Kensington. vam.co.uk

‘Hi Tension’, 1979
© Adrian Boot, urbanimage.tv

The Music Is Black: A British Story

The first exhibition at the all-new V&A East Museum in Stratford will be an ode to Black British musicians. Celebrating 125 years of Black music in our country, The Music is Black will span Jazz, Reggae, 2 Tone, Drum & Bass, Trip Hop, Garage, Grime and more, telling the long-overdue story of Black excellence, struggle, resilience, and joy. Read all about what to expect here.

Details: The Music Is Black: A British Story will open in 2025 at the V&A East Museum (East Bank, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London).

What Is On Display At The V&A?

The V&A is known for its eclectic collection of art (including ceramics, glass, textiles, costumes, silver, ironwork, jewellery, furniture, medieval objects, sculpture, prints and printmaking, drawings and photographs), housing over 2.27 million objects across 145 galleries, occupying a whopping 12.5 acres and spanning 5,000 years. Founded in 1852 and named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, it is the world’s largest museum of applied arts, decorative arts and design.

Is It Free To Enter?

The V&A Museum is free to enter, although you have to purchase a ticket for most exhibitions.

Where Is It?

The V&A is situated in South Kensington on Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL.

Nicholas Coleridge On 10 Years At The V&A

In Episode 124 of Break Out Culture, Charlotte Metcalf and Ed Vaizey sat down with Nicholas Coleridge to look back on his 10 years as Chair of the V&A. Listen below, or click here to learn more.

EXPLORE

Visit vam.ac.uk for more information