V&A East Launches Call for Next Generation of Youth Collective to Shape East London’s Cultural Future

Young people living in Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets, and Waltham Forest are being invited to play a pivotal role in the evolution of East London’s cultural landscape. The V&A East has officially announced that it is seeking a new cohort for its Youth Collective, a unique programme designed to empower residents aged 16 to 24 to directly influence the vision, atmosphere, and outreach of the institution’s two newest sites: the V&A East Museum and the V&A East Storehouse.

As the V&A continues to expand its footprint in the capital, the institution is looking to recruit a team of 12 curious, creative, and passionate individuals. This initiative is built on the belief that a museum should not merely be a repository for objects, but a living, breathing space that reflects the community it serves. By bringing local voices to the table, the V&A East aims to ensure that its spaces—ranging from the high-concept galleries of the museum to the vast, accessible collections of the Storehouse—are welcoming, relevant, and inspiring to the young people of East London.

Applications for this eight-month programme are set to open on Friday, 16 October 2026, with the digital application portal becoming available on the V&A East website. The window for potential candidates to apply is relatively short, with a firm deadline of Sunday, 1 November 2026, at 11:59 pm. The institution has emphasized that it is looking for individuals who have strong opinions about their local area, a desire to make a tangible difference in their community, and the drive to help define what a modern museum experience should look, feel, and sound like.

The Mission of the V&A East Youth Collective

The Youth Collective is far from a passive advisory board. It is an active, hands-on programme that embeds participants directly into the inner workings of the V&A East team and their roster of commissioned practitioners. Over the course of the eight-month project, which runs from January to August 2027, the selected 12 members will participate in a series of creative workshops, site visits, and collaborative sessions.

The scope of the project is ambitious, building upon the foundations laid by previous cohorts who explored complex themes such as identity, memory, and a sense of belonging. The upcoming cohort will be tasked with navigating even more pressing contemporary issues, including place-making, physical and social access, and the ongoing process of decolonisation within museum spaces. A central pillar of this year’s programme is the concept of "creative wellbeing." Participants will be challenged to share their insights on how the museum can better embed care and support for young audiences, ultimately producing a collaborative creative output that will be made available to the public.

This approach reflects the institution’s commitment to "co-production." Rather than a top-down educational model, the Youth Collective is envisioned as a true learning exchange. The institution acknowledges that the direction of the programme will be fluid, responding to the specific interests and themes that emerge from the participants themselves. The practitioners involved will act as mentors, guiding the cohort through the complexities of the cultural sector, while the participants act as the primary drivers of the project’s strategic direction.

A Commitment to Local Heritage and Global Narratives

The V&A East is a two-part destination that stands as a cornerstone of the regeneration of East London. The V&A East Museum, located in the heart of Stratford, is designed to celebrate the power of making and creativity as catalysts for social change. It is deeply rooted in the history and heritage of East London, aiming to amplify the voices that define contemporary culture. By involving young people from the surrounding boroughs of Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets, and Waltham Forest, the museum ensures that its exhibitions and programming are grounded in the lived experiences of those who inhabit the area.

Complementing the museum is the V&A East Storehouse, also located in the vicinity of the Stratford Waterfront. This facility serves a distinct purpose: housing over half a million creative works and collection objects. It is designed to be a publicly accessible space where the vast depth of the V&A’s collection is brought to life. Through a series of large-scale collection objects and curated displays, the Storehouse aims to immerse visitors in stories that are globally significant yet personally resonant. It is here that the Youth Collective will hold its regular meetings, providing them with a unique, behind-the-scenes perspective on how national collections are managed, stored, and displayed.

Programme Logistics and Professional Development

The commitment required for the Youth Collective is designed to be manageable alongside other responsibilities, yet substantial enough to foster deep engagement. The core of the programme consists of 16 evening meetings, held on alternate Thursdays from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The inaugural session is scheduled for Thursday, 14 January 2027, at the V&A East Storehouse. In addition to these bi-weekly meetings, participants should expect to engage in occasional weekend activities, site-specific work, and various museum-related events.

For those selected, the programme offers more than just a seat at the table. It provides a unique opportunity for career development, networking, and the acquisition of skills within the professional cultural sector. Participants will meet industry leaders, work with experienced artists and practitioners, and gain an insider’s understanding of how a major national institution functions. Furthermore, as the institution is committed to fair practice, there is a provision for payment, provided that the participant has the legal right to work in the United Kingdom.

The V&A East is particularly keen to ensure that the cohort reflects the vibrant diversity of East London. Potential applicants who have questions about the application process or the requirements of the programme are encouraged to reach out directly to the engagement team via email at [email protected].

Engagement Opportunities for Prospective Applicants

For those who may be hesitant to apply or who simply wish to learn more about the atmosphere and goals of the programme, the V&A East is hosting an open event on Sunday, 18 October. This session, taking place from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the V&A East Storehouse, will serve as a deep dive into what the Youth Collective entails.

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear directly from alumni of previous youth engagement programmes, as well as the practitioners who will be leading the upcoming project. The event is designed to be interactive, featuring risograph printing workshops, screenings of short films produced by previous cohorts, and panel discussions on the future of museums. It is an opportunity for prospective applicants to network with peers and gain a clearer sense of how they might contribute to the V&A East’s mission.

As the deadline approaches, the institution continues to emphasize the importance of this work. By ensuring that young East Londoners are at the heart of the decision-making process, the V&A East hopes to create a cultural destination that does not just exist within the community, but is an integral, evolving part of it. The call for applicants is a direct invitation for the next generation of creative thinkers to step forward, share their perspectives, and help shape the narrative of one of London’s most significant new cultural projects. Further details, including the names of the lead practitioners and additional project specifications, will be published on the V&A East website on Friday, 16 October, marking the beginning of the application period.