The Victoria and Albert Museum's new V&A East Storehouse in London is redefining the traditional museum visit by granting the public unprecedented access to over 250,000 objects, 350,000 books, and 1,000 archives from its extensive collection. Unlike conventional museums, visitors are encouraged to touch many items and can even book one-on-one "Order an Object" sessions with specific artifacts, including a 1954 Balenciaga gown or a Vivienne Westwood sweater.
Located in the city's reimagined Olympic Park, the Storehouse is part of a larger cultural district developed after the 2012 Games, aiming to engage local communities and promote transparency in museum practices. Designed by the firm behind New York's High Line, the building showcases oversized pieces like Picasso stage curtains and Mughal architecture. The site also will host the upcoming David Bowie Center.
Emphasising openness, the museum features displays on conservation work and allows viewing of staff activity, aligning with its mission to make the entire national collection accessible to everyone. This innovative approach challenges the traditional notion of museums as places where visitors are passive observers, instead fostering a more interactive and engaging environment.
The V&A East Storehouse's commitment to accessibility and community engagement reflects a broader trend in the museum sector towards inclusivity and transparency. By allowing visitors to interact directly with artifacts and observe conservation processes, the museum aims to demystify the work behind the scenes and encourage a deeper connection with the collections.
As the V&A East Storehouse continues to evolve, it sets a new standard for museums worldwide, demonstrating that embracing openness and interactivity can enrich the visitor experience and foster a more inclusive cultural environment. This pioneering model may inspire other institutions to reconsider their approaches to public engagement and collection accessibility.
