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

The Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum is calling on the next generation of creative thinkers in East London to help define the future of its newest institutions. Applications are set to open on Friday, October 16, 2026, for the latest cohort of the V&A East Youth Collective. This unique program invites young people aged 16 to 24, who reside in the boroughs of Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets, or Waltham Forest, to take an active role in shaping how the V&A East Museum and the V&A East Storehouse function as cultural, social, and creative hubs for their local communities.

The Youth Collective is not merely a youth advisory group; it is a collaborative platform designed to bridge the gap between institutional practice and the lived experiences of young East Londoners. As the institution prepares to further embed itself into the fabric of the local area, it is seeking twelve curious and passionate individuals who are eager to challenge the status quo and offer fresh perspectives on what a museum should look, feel, and sound like in the 21st century.

Bridging Heritage and Contemporary Culture

V&A East is a two-part cultural destination that represents a significant expansion for the Victoria and Albert Museum. The initiative is split between two distinct sites: the V&A East Museum in Stratford and the V&A East Storehouse, also located near the Stratford Waterfront. Together, these sites are dedicated to celebrating the act of "making" and providing a space where creative possibilities are boundless.

The V&A East Museum is built on the premise that creativity has the power to drive societal change. By being firmly rooted in the rich, multifaceted heritage of East London, the museum aims to explore the forces shaping our world today. It does so by centering the voices of those who lead contemporary culture, ensuring that the museum is not just a repository of the past, but a participant in current conversations.

Complementing this is the V&A East Storehouse, a massive, publicly accessible facility that houses over half a million creative works and collection objects. The Storehouse is designed to be an immersive experience, where the sheer scale of the collection—ranging from large-scale installations to intimate, curated displays—allows visitors to engage with stories and narratives that are relevant to diverse audiences. The Youth Collective will play a critical role in determining how these vast collections are interpreted and accessed by young people, ensuring that the institution remains an inclusive space for all.

The Mission of the Youth Collective

Participants in the upcoming eight-month program will be tasked with working alongside the V&A East team and various commissioned practitioners. The objective is to foster a learning exchange where co-production is the foundational principle. The program is intentionally flexible; while it provides a structured framework, the specific interests and themes that emerge from the cohort will dictate the direction of their projects.

The 2027 cohort will build upon the foundational work established by previous participants. Past cohorts have explored complex and deeply personal themes including identity, memory, and belonging, as well as broader structural conversations regarding place, access, and the ongoing process of decolonization within cultural institutions. This year, the V&A East is asking the new collective to focus on the integration of "creative wellbeing" and "care" within museum spaces.

The goal is to move beyond passive observation and toward the production of a creative output that will be shared publicly with the museum’s audiences. This output will serve as a tangible demonstration of the collective’s influence on the institution, proving that the voices of young East Londoners can lead, rather than just inform, institutional strategy. By participating, members will not only gain professional insight into the cultural sector but will also develop their own creative skills through workshops, site visits, and collaborative projects.

Logistics and Commitment

The program is designed to be accessible to those balancing school, work, or other commitments. The commitment involves 16 evening meetings, held on alternating Thursdays from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. These sessions will take place in person across East London, starting in January 2027 and running through August 2027. The inaugural session is scheduled for Thursday, January 14, 2027, at the V&A East Storehouse.

In addition to these regular meetings, participants should expect to take part in occasional weekend activities, which will include museum days and various off-site trips. Because the V&A East is committed to ensuring that these opportunities are accessible regardless of socioeconomic background, the program is designed to be a professional development experience, and participants must hold the legal right to work in the UK to receive payment for their contributions to the project.

How to Apply and Get Involved

For those interested in the program, the application window will open on Friday, October 16, 2026. A dedicated link to the application form will be made available on the V&A East website on that date. The deadline for all submissions is Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 11:59 pm. Given the competitive nature of the program and the desire to build a cohort that truly reflects the diverse demographics of East London, potential applicants are encouraged to put thought and care into their submissions.

Ahead of the application deadline, the V&A East is hosting an informational event for those who wish to learn more about the program’s scope, the practitioners involved, and the experiences of past participants. This event will take place on Sunday, October 18, at the V&A East Storehouse, between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm. It is a free, drop-in opportunity for prospective applicants to network, watch short film screenings, listen to panel discussions, and even engage in hands-on creative activities like risograph printing.

This event is highly recommended for anyone considering an application, as it provides a rare, informal look at the culture of the V&A East and the specific, tangible ways in which youth engagement has already begun to shape the institution. It is also an opportunity to ask questions directly to the team, though any inquiries can also be directed to [email protected] prior to the application deadline.

The V&A East is clear in its vision: the institution cannot succeed in its mission to be a relevant and inspiring space for East Londoners without the active input of those who live, work, and create in the area. By empowering a group of twelve young people to take the lead, the V&A East is committing to a future where the museum is a reflection of its community, shaped by the very people it intends to serve. For the next cohort, the opportunity to influence this trajectory is a significant one, offering a platform to turn personal opinions and creative ideas into a lasting impact on one of the most prominent cultural developments in the city.