A Living Archive of Art and History

The V&A East Storehouse, inaugurated at the vibrant Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, offers visitors an innovative encounter with a vast cultural heritage spanning 5,000 years. This ambitious new extension of the renowned Victoria and Albert Museum builds on the legacy of one of the world’s most significant collections of design and applied arts — encompassing masterworks by Picasso and the iconic fashion of Vivienne Westwood alike.

Occupying a portion of the former Media Centre from the London 2012 Olympic Games, the new space houses more than 250,000 objects from across eras and civilizations, alongside an extraordinary library of 350,000 volumes and 1,000 archival collections. Rather than consign these treasures to darkness, the V&A East Storehouse is committed to celebrating and sharing its patrimony — through workshops, screenings, and performances that immerse visitors in a genuinely total cultural experience.

The largest Picasso work in existence — the 1924 front stage cloth for the Ballets Russes production of Le Train Bleu — on display at V&A East Storehouse. Photo: David Parry/PA Media.

The Storehouse further distinguishes itself with more than 100 mini-curated exhibitions distributed throughout the building. Among its most compelling offerings is the “Order an Object” experience — a singular opportunity to interact directly, and safely, with texts, artworks, and musical objects under the guidance of a specialist from the Collections Access team.

A visit to the V&A East Storehouse is not merely a feast for the eye — it is an invitation to reflect on the extraordinary cultural patrimony that distinct civilizations hold in common. In a world moving at relentless speed, this space stands as a beacon, illuminating the enduring relevance of art and history in contemporary life and casting new light on culture in all its nuance and color.