V&A East Museum Set to Open in London with Groundbreaking Exhibition
The cultural landscape of London is about to be enriched with the highly anticipated opening of the V&A East Museum in Stratford this spring. Following the successful revamp of the Young V&A in 2023 and the launch of the V&A East Storehouse in 2025, this new 7,000 square metre sister venue marks a significant expansion for the Victoria & Albert Museum. Tickets are now available for its inaugural exhibition, promising a landmark exploration of Black British music.
A Landmark Exhibition on Black British Music
The V&A East Museum will officially open its doors on Saturday, April 18, 2026, with the exhibition titled The Music is Black: A British Story. This extensive show features more than 200 objects that delve into the profound impact of Black artistry on British music, culture, and society from 1900 to the present day. Curated by Jacqueline Springer, the museum's curator of Africa and diaspora performance, the exhibition is structured into four distinct acts.
It begins by tracing the origins of Black music, then explores its flourishing during periods of war, migration, and technological change in the early twentieth century. The exhibition subsequently focuses on the emergence of Black British genres such as lovers rock, 2 tone, Brit funk, and grime, before spotlighting contemporary Black British music and its future trajectory.
Notable Artefacts and Cultural Significance
Visitors can expect to see a diverse array of artefacts that bring this musical history to life. Highlights include Winifred Atwell's piano, Joan Armatrading's childhood guitar, and the Nintendo used by Jme in his early music experiments. The exhibition also features newly acquired photographs of influential figures like Kemistry and Storm, Mis-Teeq, and Skepta, alongside iconic pieces of clothing worn by artists such as Little Simz, Dame Shirley Bassey, Skin, and Sade.
Jacqueline Springer emphasises the exhibition's broader cultural significance, stating: 'This exhibition speaks to modernity and long deep histories; of the legacies of identity and to the music that furnishes our collective and individual memories. We hope that visitors will emerge with a broader appreciation of Black British music makers, the enormous influence of Black musicality - internationally and domestically - and the legacy of the influence of the African diaspora.'
Festival Launch and Visitor Information
In addition to the exhibition, the V&A East Museum's opening will mark the launch of a brand new summer festival in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. This event aims to bring together the area's cultural institutions, including the London College of Fashion, the BBC Music Studios, Sadler's Wells East, and UCL East, fostering a vibrant cultural hub in East London.
Tickets for The Music is Black: A British Story are now on sale, with the exhibition running from April 18, 2026, to January 3, 2027. General admission starts from £22.50, with discounted rates of £10 available for students and individuals under 26. This opening represents a major addition to London's museum scene, offering an immersive experience into the rich tapestry of Black British musical heritage.
