Young residents aged 16 to 24 living across Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets, and Waltham Forest are being given a unique opportunity to help shape the future of two major new cultural spaces in the capital. The Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum has announced that applications will soon open for the next cohort of the V&A East Youth Collective, inviting a diverse team of curious, creative, and passionate young people to collaborate directly with museum staff and professional practitioners.
The initiative aims to answer a fundamental question: What should a museum and collections space look, feel, and sound like for young people in East London? Successful applicants will work closely with the V&A East team to ensure that both the upcoming V&A East Museum and the V&A East Storehouse are welcoming, inspiring, and deeply relevant to the communities surrounding them. The programme is designed for individuals who have ideas, opinions, and a desire to make a tangible difference in their local area, putting youth voices at the very heart of the institution’s ongoing development.
Applications for the new cohort are scheduled to open on Friday, 16th October 2026, with the official application link going live on the museum’s website on that day. Prospective applicants must submit their materials by the strict deadline of Sunday, 1st November 2026, at 11:59 pm.
What to Expect from the Youth Collective Programme
Running from January through August 2027, the eight-month programme offers an immersive experience into the cultural sector. Participants will take part in a series of creative workshops, site visits, and collaborative projects alongside commissioned practitioners. The curriculum is designed to expand upon critical themes explored by previous Youth Collective cohorts, ranging from identity, memory, and belonging to place, access, and decolonisation.
A central focus of the upcoming programme will be exploring how the museum can embed creative wellbeing and care for young audiences into its physical and conceptual spaces. This collaborative effort will culminate in the production of a tangible creative output, which will be made publicly available to museum visitors and the wider community.
Rather than following a rigid corporate structure, the Youth Collective programme will remain fluid, adapting to project needs and the evolving interests and themes identified by the participants. Organizers envision the initiative as a genuine learning exchange between young Londoners, professional practitioners, and the institution itself, with co-production serving as the core philosophy of the project.
To accommodate participants’ schedules, the collective will meet for 16 evening sessions on alternate Thursdays from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. These in-person meetings will take place in East London, kicking off with the first official session on Thursday, 14th January 2027, at the V&A East Storehouse. In addition to the regular Thursday evening gatherings, participants can expect occasional weekend activities, cultural trips, and dedicated days working inside the museum spaces.
Rooted in East London: V&A East Museum and Storehouse
The launch of the Youth Collective comes as the V&A establishes its dynamic, two-part cultural destination in East London, serving as a new branch of the world-renowned Victoria and Albert Museum. Designed to celebrate making and unlock new possibilities, V&A East is rooted firmly in the heritage of East London while maintaining a sharp focus on the contemporary voices leading modern culture.
Located in Stratford, the V&A East Museum is designed to celebrate making and the power of creativity to drive social change. Developed in close collaboration with young people, the museum explores the forces shaping our world through the lens of local and contemporary culture.
Just a short distance away near the Stratford Waterfront lies the V&A East Storehouse. This innovative, publicly accessible facility houses over half a million creative works and collection objects. Featuring a series of large-scale collection objects and carefully curated displays, the Storehouse invites visitors to immerse themselves in a rich tapestry of stories and historical narratives that resonate with diverse audiences.
Programme Benefits and Eligibility
The programme is searching for a diverse group of 12 young people who truly reflect the varied communities of East London. Beyond gaining a profound voice in how the museum connects with local residents, participants will develop valuable creative skills, build professional networks, and gain unprecedented insight into careers within the cultural and heritage sectors.
To ensure broad accessibility, applicants must meet specific regional criteria, living within the boroughs of Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets, or Waltham Forest. Additionally, applicants must be between the ages of 16 and 24. Organizers note that participants must hold the legal right to work in the UK in order to receive payment for their involvement in the project.
Upcoming Launch Event and How to Learn More
For young people and community members interested in learning more about the initiative before submitting an application, the museum is hosting a free public event on Sunday, 18th October, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the V&A Storehouse. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear directly from alumni of previous V&A East youth engagement programmes and field practitioners.
The afternoon event will feature networking opportunities, hands-on risograph printing workshops, short film screenings, and engaging panel talks. Further details regarding the event, along with specific information about the commissioned practitioners leading the 2027 project, will be published on the V&A East website when applications open on Friday, 16th October.
Individuals with questions about the application process or the programme itself can reach out to the organizing team directly via email at [email protected].