The brand new V&A East Museum is officially open, marking the crown jewel of the East Bank cultural district and a massive win for the creative soul of East London. Located right in the heart of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, this beautiful five-storey building is an architectural masterpiece created by O’Donnell+Tuomey.
The space is not just a museum but a place co-created with young people and local residents to ensure the stories inside are a reflection of the diverse and richly creative crowd that walks through the doors.
The headline act: The Music is Black: A British Story
If you need a reason to head over and check it out over the next few weeks, the inaugural exhibition is it. The Music is Black: A British Story is the largest exhibition of its kind, tracing 125 years of Black British music and its global ripple effect.
This isn’t a dusty walk through the past but a multisensory experience that can take days to explore. You’ll find everything from Winifred Atwell’s piano to the Super Nintendo Jme used for his early grime experiments.
Must-see highlights
- Stormzy’s iconic 2019 Glastonbury vest: The Banksy-designed masterpiece that stopped the nation.
- Joan Armatrading’s childhood guitar: Where a legendary career began.
- The Pioneers: DJ equipment from jungle legends Fabio & Grooverider, plus fashion worn by Little Simz, Sade, Seal, and Skin.
- The Lens: Over 50 newly acquired photographs, including Dennis Morris’s shots of Bob Marley and Laura ‘Hyperfrank’ Brosnan’s print of Skepta’s family celebrating his Mercury Prize win.
“V&A East Museum’s focus on creativity for change really speaks to how music and culture can inspire, challenge, and create opportunity,” says V&A East Ambassador Cat Burns. “It’s about celebrating art, identity, and stories that matter.”
Free art for everyone: Why We Make galleries
Spread across two floors, the Why We Make galleries are permanent and—best of all—completely free.
These galleries ditch traditional museum timelines to look at why humans create. Expect a mashup of over 500 objects where Renaissance portraits sit alongside Alexander McQueen gowns and Pussyhats from modern protest marches. Local legend Yinka Ilori, fashion star Molly Goddard, and ceramicist Bisila Noha all have works featured, proving that East London’s creative DNA is woven into the museum’s fabric.
More than just exhibits
The museum is launching with a bang, including:
- New work commissions: Rotating artworks from names like Rene Matić and Tania Bruguera responding to the theme ‘Making East London.’
- Live events: A massive opening programme featuring a takeover by DJ Nia Archives, plus artist workshops and performances.
- Café Jikoni: Foodies can rejoice as the celebrated restaurant group brings their ‘cooking across borders’ philosophy to the museum.
Why it matters
Supported by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, the museum is the final piece of the V&A East project (following the opening of the V&A East Storehouse last year). It represents the biggest investment in London’s culture since the 19th century.
As V&A East Director Gus Casely-Hayford puts it: “Everyone is welcome at V&A East Museum… we hope you see yourself, your stories, and experiences represented here.”
Plan your visit:
Where: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford.
When: Opening Saturday 18 April 2026.
Cost: Entry to the museum and Why We Make galleries is Free. (Tickets may be required for special exhibitions).
More info: Keep an eye on bbc.co.uk/themusicisblack for exclusive archival content and mixtapes. And whilst you are in that part of the city, check out the V & A East Storehouse.