Young V&A

A Museum Reimagined for Young Creators

Young V&A stands as a landmark transformation in how museums engage with children and young people. Reopened in July 2023 after extensive renovation, this institution represents a fundamental shift from traditional museum display toward interactive, participatory spaces designed specifically for ages up to 14. The museum's mission is to enable everyone, especially the young, to explore and enjoy the designed world through objects made for and made by children. Co-designed with children and young people themselves, Young V&A prioritizes creative confidence-building and nurtures the next generation of designers, innovators, and entrepreneurs.

The Building's Rich Industrial Heritage

The museum occupies a remarkable Grade II* listed structure with a compelling history spanning nearly two centuries. Originally constructed in 1856–1857 as a prefabricated iron building at Albertopolis in South Kensington, the structure was relocated to Bethnal Green in 1872 when it was displaced by the construction of the Victoria and Albert Museum complex. The exterior elevations were designed by James William Wild in red brick using a Rundbogenstil (round-arched) style characteristic of contemporary German architecture, with cast iron manufactured by Charles Denoon Young and Company. This industrial heritage is visible in the building's distinctive architectural character, which was carefully preserved during the 2003–2006 renovation that cost £4.7 million. The new entrance, designed by Caruso St John Architects, features patterned elevations of red quartzite and brown porphyries, giving the museum the formal front and outward aspect it previously lacked.

Three Galleries of Creative Exploration

The museum's permanent collection is organized into three distinct gallery spaces: Imagine, Play, and Design. The Imagine gallery features an amphitheatre-style stage where visitors can showcase performance skills and engage in storytelling activities. The Play gallery invites hands-on interaction with objects and displays, while the Design gallery encourages visitors to engage in their own creative work through an Open Studio space. All displays have been thoughtfully curated to make objects more accessible and engaging than traditional museum presentations, with activities and prompts encouraging deeper thinking and creative response. Contemporary items on display include the skateboard of 13-year-old Olympic medallist Sky Brown, connecting the collection to the achievements and interests of young people today.

Extensive Collections and Curatorial Excellence

Young V&A houses the largest collection of childhood-related objects in the United Kingdom. The collection encompasses extensive holdings of toys, childhood equipment, costumes, and designed objects spanning centuries. Items from the V&A's main archive have been carefully selected and recontextualized for young audiences. The museum also stages a dynamic programme of temporary exhibitions, with upcoming shows including Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends, opening in February 2026, which takes visitors behind the scenes of stop-motion animation to explore how iconic characters and worlds are created.

Award-Winning Innovation and Recognition

In 2024, Young V&A was awarded the Art Fund Museum of the Year prize, recognizing its innovative approach to museum practice and its significant impact on audiences. This accolade reflects the museum's success in creating a joyful, optimistic space where young people feel inspired and empowered. The institution's commitment to creative education addresses a recognized gap in formal schooling, providing opportunities for young people to develop vital skills in creativity, collaboration, and design thinking—competencies identified by global organizations including the World Economic Forum and the OECD as essential for shaping positive change in the world.