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 once again opening its doors to the creative voices of East London, announcing the search for its next cohort of the V&A East Youth Collective. The initiative, designed to place young people at the heart of the institution’s evolution, is calling for applicants aged 16 to 24 who reside in the boroughs of Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets, or Waltham Forest. This eight-month programme offers a unique opportunity for local residents to influence the direction, atmosphere, and accessibility of the new V&A East sites, ensuring they resonate with the communities they serve.

Applications for the upcoming cycle are scheduled to open on Friday, October 16, 2026, with the digital application portal going live on the V&A East website. Candidates interested in joining this dynamic group have until Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. to submit their applications.

Bridging Institutional Goals with Local Perspectives

The V&A East Youth Collective is more than a traditional youth advisory board; it is a collaborative platform designed to foster a genuine exchange between young people and the museum’s professional staff. As the institution prepares for the future of its two distinct sites—the V&A East Museum and the V&A East Storehouse—it is asking a fundamental question: What should a museum and collections space look, feel, and sound like for the youth of East London?

To answer this, the museum is seeking a team of twelve curious, creative, and passionate individuals. Participants will work directly alongside the V&A East team and various commissioned practitioners to co-produce environments that are not only welcoming and inspiring but also deeply relevant to the lived experiences of young East Londoners. The project is rooted in the belief that those who live in the surrounding area should have a direct hand in shaping the cultural institutions that exist within their neighbourhoods. Whether participants are interested in the mechanics of curating, the nuances of museum accessibility, or the broader social role of arts organisations, the programme aims to provide a space where their opinions can lead to tangible change.

A Journey of Creative Development and Exchange

The eight-month programme, running from January 2027 through August 2027, is structured to be both an educational experience and a professional development opportunity. Participants will meet for 16 evening sessions, held every other Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at locations in East London. These sessions will be supplemented by occasional weekend activities, immersive trips, and dedicated days spent within the museum, providing members with a behind-the-scenes look at how a world-class institution operates.

The curriculum for the 2027 cohort will build upon the foundations established by previous groups. Past participants have explored complex themes such as identity, memory, and belonging. The upcoming programme will expand this scope to include discussions on place, physical and social access, and the ongoing process of decolonising museum collections and narratives. A central component of the 2027 programme is the collaborative development of a creative output—a project that will be publicly accessible and serve as a testament to the collective’s influence on the museum’s public-facing identity.

Beyond the specific project goals, the Youth Collective aims to provide a platform for personal and professional growth. Participants will gain valuable insights into careers within the cultural and heritage sectors, learning directly from practitioners who are active in the field. The programme is intentionally designed as a learning exchange, where the institution itself is expected to adapt based on the contributions of the youth members. This commitment to co-production ensures that the young people are not merely observers, but active partners in the decision-making processes that define the museum’s future.

Contextualising the V&A East Vision

V&A East represents a significant expansion of the Victoria and Albert Museum, conceived as a two-part destination dedicated to celebrating making and creativity. It is deeply embedded in the heritage and contemporary culture of East London, a region known for its vibrancy and artistic output. The project is divided into two distinct, yet complementary, sites:

The V&A East Museum, located in Stratford, is designed as a space that explores the forces shaping our world today. It places a heavy emphasis on the voices of contemporary culture, with a mission to support critical and conceptual learning through the act of making. It is a museum built by and for the community, aiming to act as a catalyst for social and creative change.

The V&A East Storehouse, also situated near the Stratford Waterfront, serves a different but equally vital purpose. It houses over half a million creative works and collection objects, offering the public unprecedented access to items that are often kept behind closed doors in traditional museum settings. With its curated displays and large-scale installations, the Storehouse is intended to be an immersive environment where visitors can engage with stories and narratives that are relevant to diverse, modern audiences.

Eligibility and Application Details

The recruitment process is open to 12 young people who collectively reflect the rich diversity of East London. To be eligible, applicants must be aged 16 to 24 and reside in one of the four host boroughs: Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets, or Waltham Forest. Crucially, as the programme includes a paid component, applicants must have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom.

The inaugural session of the 2027 programme is set for Thursday, January 14, 2027, at 6:00 p.m., hosted at the V&A East Storehouse. The museum encourages prospective applicants to reach out with any questions via email at [email protected].

For those eager to learn more before applying, the museum is hosting a free, in-person event on Sunday, October 18, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the V&A East Storehouse. This event is designed to provide potential applicants with a comprehensive overview of the programme. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from previous Youth Collective members and industry practitioners, participate in networking sessions, engage in hands-on activities such as risograph printing, and attend short film screenings and panel discussions. It serves as an open invitation for young people to see the space firsthand and understand how they can ensure that East Londoners remain at the heart of the V&A East experience.

As the October 16 application opening date approaches, the museum advises interested candidates to keep an eye on the official website, where further information—including specific details about the practitioners who will be leading the 2027 project—will be published. By inviting this level of youth participation, the V&A East continues its effort to evolve into an institution that is not only located in East London but is truly representative of its spirit, creativity, and future.