V&A East Launches Recruitment for 2027 Youth Collective: Shaping the Future of East London’s Cultural Landscape

The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) is calling upon the next generation of creative thinkers and cultural advocates in East London to help define the future of its newest destination. V&A East has officially announced that applications will open on Friday, October 16, 2026, for the next cohort of the V&A East Youth Collective. This unique programme is designed for young people aged 16 to 24 who are currently living in the London Boroughs of Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets, or Waltham Forest. By inviting local voices to the table, the institution aims to ensure that its upcoming sites—the V&A East Museum and the V&A East Storehouse—are not merely buildings, but spaces that feel welcoming, relevant, and truly representative of the communities they serve.

The Youth Collective is a core pillar of the V&A East’s engagement strategy. It seeks to answer a fundamental question: what should a museum and a collections space look, feel, and sound like for the young people of East London? To address this, the museum is assembling a team of curious, passionate, and creative individuals to work in close partnership with the V&A East team and various commissioned practitioners. This is not a passive advisory role; it is a collaborative programme where participants will actively influence how the museum interacts with its visitors, how it connects with local communities, and how it reflects the lived experiences of young people in the area.

For those selected, the programme promises a deep dive into the workings of a world-class cultural institution. Over an eight-month period, participants will engage in creative workshops, attend site visits, and participate in a series of activities that bridge the gap between institutional practice and community needs. Beyond simply having their voices heard, members of the Youth Collective will have the opportunity to expand their own professional horizons, meet new people, and gain valuable, hands-on insight into the various career paths available within the cultural and creative sectors.

The upcoming cohort will build upon the foundational work established by previous iterations of the Youth Collective. Past groups have explored complex, resonant themes such as identity, memory, belonging, place, access, and decolonisation. This year, the focus shifts to include a collaborative effort to embed "creative wellbeing" and care for young audiences directly into the museum’s fabric. The programme will culminate in the production of a tangible, creative output—a public-facing project that will be shared with the museum’s wider audience, ensuring that the work of the Youth Collective leaves a lasting mark on the institution.

The programme is designed as a genuine exchange of knowledge. Rather than a top-down educational model, the V&A East envisions the Youth Collective as a learning environment where participants, practitioners, and the institution itself all contribute to the direction of the project. Co-production is at the heart of this initiative, meaning that as themes emerge throughout the course of the programme, the curriculum and the activities will adapt to reflect the interests and passions of the participants themselves.

In terms of commitment, the programme is structured to be manageable alongside other responsibilities. Participants will be expected to attend 16 evening meetings, held on alternating Thursdays from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. These sessions will take place in person in East London, running from January through August 2027. In addition to these regular meetings, there will be occasional weekend activities, specialized trips, and dedicated days spent within the museum spaces themselves.

V&A East represents a significant expansion for the Victoria and Albert Museum, operating as a two-part cultural destination that is deeply rooted in the heritage of East London. The V&A East Museum, located in Stratford, is a space dedicated to the power of making and creativity as a catalyst for social change. It is designed to be a site where contemporary culture is shaped by the very people who define it, with a strong emphasis on critical and conceptual learning through active participation.

Complementing this is the V&A East Storehouse, also situated near the Stratford Waterfront. The Storehouse serves a different but equally vital purpose, housing over half a million creative works and collection objects. It is a publicly accessible space where visitors can immerse themselves in a vast array of stories, historical narratives, and artistic achievements. By bringing these collections into the public eye, the Storehouse aims to make the vast resources of the V&A accessible and meaningful to any audience, regardless of their background.

The institution is looking for 12 young people to form this next cohort—individuals who reflect the vibrant, diverse tapestry of East London. While the programme offers significant professional development, it also includes payment for participants. Applicants should note that to receive payment, they must hold the legal right to work in the United Kingdom.

For those interested in learning more before committing to the application process, V&A East is hosting a free, open-access event on Sunday, October 18. This event, taking place at the V&A East Storehouse between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm, is designed to give potential applicants a taste of what the Youth Collective entails. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear directly from previous members of the youth engagement programmes and from some of the practitioners who will be leading the upcoming project. The event will feature panel talks, short film screenings, and networking opportunities, alongside a risograph printing workshop. It is an ideal environment for those who are curious about how they can ensure that young East Londoners remain at the heart of the V&A East’s future.

Applications will be accessible via a link on the V&A East website starting Friday, October 16, 2026. The deadline for submitting an application is strictly set for Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 11:59 pm. The programme will officially kick off with its first session on Thursday, January 14, 2027, at 6:00 pm at the V&A East Storehouse.

As the launch date approaches, more information regarding the specific practitioners who will be leading the project will be made available on the museum’s website. For those who have specific questions or require further clarification before applying, the V&A East engagement team can be contacted directly via email at [email protected]. The institution encourages anyone with a passion for their community, a desire to influence the cultural landscape, and a curiosity about the role of museums in the modern world to reach out and consider joining the next chapter of the V&A East Youth Collective.