Young people aged 16 to 24 living in Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets, and Waltham Forest are being invited to apply for the next cohort of the V&A East Youth Collective, offering a rare opportunity to directly influence the development, welcoming practices, and public identity of two major new cultural institutions in East London.
Applications for the upcoming eight-month programme are set to open on Friday, 16th October 2026, with interested participants able to submit their applications until the final deadline on Sunday, 1st November 2026, at 11:59 pm. The initiative forms a core component of V&A East’s ongoing commitment to grassroots co-production, ensuring that the voices, perspectives, and lived experiences of local communities remain at the very center of its operations, community outreach, and gallery design.
As part of a dynamic two-part cultural destination rooted in Stratford, V&A East comprises the V&A East Museum and the V&A East Storehouse. The institutions are designed to celebrate making, creativity, and the power of design to drive social change, drawing heavily on East London’s rich industrial and cultural heritage. The new Youth Collective will work alongside the V&A East team and commissioned practitioners to question and redefine what a modern museum and collections space should look, feel, and sound like for the younger generation.
Organizers are assembling a team of twelve curious, creative, and passionate young people who reflect the remarkable diversity of East London. Successful applicants will engage in a collaborative learning exchange, participating in creative workshops, museum visits, and strategic discussions designed to embed creative wellbeing and care for young audiences directly into the museum spaces.
Building upon the themes explored by previous Youth Collective cohorts—ranging from identity, memory, and belonging to place, access, and decolonisation—the upcoming group will produce a tangible creative output that will be made publicly available to future visitors. This collaborative framework ensures that the direction of the programme remains fluid, shaped by the evolving interests, project needs, and insights of the participants themselves.
The programme schedule is structured to accommodate the commitments of young people, consisting of 16 evening meetings held on alternating Thursdays from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. These in-person sessions will take place across East London between January and August 2027, with the inaugural session officially scheduled for Thursday, 14th January 2027, at the V&A East Storehouse. In addition to the bi-weekly evening gatherings, participants can expect occasional weekend activities, specialized trips, and dedicated days spent working within the museum environments.
Participation in the Youth Collective also provides a valuable stepping stone for individuals interested in the cultural sector. Beyond developing creative skills and expanding professional networks, participants will gain firsthand insight into museum careers, arts programming, and public engagement. Eligible participants who have the legal right to work in the UK will be compensated for their time and contributions to the project.
To introduce prospective applicants to the programme, V&A East is hosting a free public event on Sunday, 18th October, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the V&A East Storehouse. The event offers an opportunity to hear directly from alumni of previous V&A East youth engagement programmes and field practitioners. Attendees can expect a dynamic afternoon featuring networking opportunities, risograph printing workshops, short film screenings, and panel discussions exploring the future of youth-led culture in the area.
Further details regarding the project, including comprehensive profiles of the commissioned practitioners leading the initiative and the live application link, will be published on the official V&A East website when applications open on Friday, 16th October 2026. Anyone with inquiries regarding the application process or programme requirements is encouraged to reach out to the engagement team via email at [email protected].