Victoria and Albert Museum
Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell Road
South Kensington
London
Greater London
SW7 2RL
England
Website
Telephone
Information/Switchboard
020 7942 2000
Fax
020 7942 2266
The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) is the world’s greatest museum of art and design. The purpose of the Victoria and Albert Museum is to enable everyone to enjoy its collections and explore the cultures that created them; and to inspire those who shape contemporary design. All our efforts are focused upon a central purpose - the increased use of our displays, collections and expertise as resources for learning, creativity and enjoyment by audiences within and beyond the United Kingdom.
Venue Type:
Museum
Additional info
See website for details
Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell Road
South Kensington
London
Greater London
SW7 2RL
England
Website
Telephone
Information/Switchboard
020 7942 2000
Fax
020 7942 2266
The Victoria and Albert Museum's collections span two thousand years of art in virtually every medium, from many parts of the world, and visitors to the museum encounter a treasure house of amazing and beautiful objects. The Museum was established in 1852, following the enormous success of the Great Exhibition the previous year. Its founding principle was to make works of art available to all, to educate working people and to inspire British designers and manufacturers.
The Museum's ceramics, glass, textiles, dress, silver, ironwork, jewellery, furniture, sculpture, paintings, prints and photographs now span the cultures of Europe, North America, Asia and North Africa, and date from ancient times to the present day.
Although the V&A's collections are international in their scope, they contain many particularly important British works - especially British silver, ceramics, textiles and furniture.
Part of the RIBA Trust's British Architecture Library, a Designated Collection of national importance, is on display at this museum.
The collection provides comprehensive coverage of all aspects of architecture. It is fundamental to the study of architecture in Britain and is nationally and internationally significant.
Collection details
World Cultures, Weapons and War, Toys and Hobbies, Social History, Photography, Personalities, Performing Arts, Music, Fine Art, Design, Decorative and Applied Art, Costume and Textiles, Archives, Architecture, Archaeology
Key artists and exhibits
- The British Galleries 1500-1900 tell the story of British design from the Tudor age to the Victorian era. Fifteen completely refurbished galleries are filled with exhibits reflecting all of the top British designers of the times. The galleries are enhanced by computer interactives, objects to handle, video screens and audio programmes. Highlights include the gigantic Great Bed of Ware (mentioned in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night) and the wedding suit worn by James II. Inspirational, beautiful and unmatched in scope, the British Galleries offer an entirely new visitor experience in a stunning and innovative setting.
- Designated Collection
Collections services
- General guide to collections available
- Object identification and/or written enquiry service
- Public access available to collections information
- Specialist publications on collections available
- Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell Road
South Kensington
London
Greater London
SW7 2RL
England
Website
Telephone
Information/Switchboard
020 7942 2000
Fax
020 7942 2266
The House of Annie Lennox
This display in the V&A’s Theatre and Performance Galleries will explore the creativity, image and style of Annie Lennox, one of the world’s most renowned female performers. Conceived and created in collaboration with Annie Lennox, this display will bring together over 50 objects, costumes and music videos from her personal archive to explore and reveal elements of the inspiration behind her artistry.
The installation will be designed around the concept of a ‘House’, providing a visual journey through different facets of Lennox’s creativity. Objects on show will include accessories and costumes, such as the Union Jack suit worn at the 1999 Brit Awards, and the sequinned evening dress worn in the Little Bird music video. There will be handwritten lyrics, music manuscripts, personal treasures and a selection of awards ranging from the GRAMMYs to an Oscar. Ephemera from the political causes Lennox has championed such as the SING campaign for HIV/AIDS awareness will also be on display.
The House of Annie Lennox will host immersive video projections choreographed by Lennox herself, as well as music videos of her solo work and those created and performed with Dave Stewart as Eurythmics. A selection of interviews recorded throughout her career, and an original V&A film of Lennox in conversation, will examine her sources of inspiration and her thoughts on songwriting and the creative process. A collection of over a dozen, well-known images of Lennox by acclaimed photographers including Paolo Roversi, Pamela Hanson and Satoshi Saikusa will also be displayed, illustrating something of the breadth of Lennox’s changing visual representation across the four decades of her career.
Suitable for
- 14-15
Where
Theatre & Performance Galleries, Room 104
Website
Island Stories: British photography from 1945 to the present
Drawn exclusively from the V&A collections, this display is a selection of around 70 photographs celebrating the variety of photography in the UK since 1945.
It captures the diversity of the island and its people, and focuses on narratives told through individual bodies of work produced during a dynamic time in British history.
Suitable for
- Any age
Where
Room 38a
Admission
Free.
Website
http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/i/island-stories-british-photography-from-1945-to-the-present/
Ai Weiwei: Dropping the Urn (Ceramic Works, 5000 BC – AD 2010)
This display presents work by Beijing based artist Ai Weiwei, one of the most prominent artists working in China today. Featuring a selection of ceramic works, photographs and video this is a rare opportunity to view some of the most iconic works in the field of Chinese contemporary art.
Where
Room 146
Admission
Free
British Design 1948–2012: Innovation in the Modern Age
The exhibition highlights significant moments in the history of British design and how the country continues to nurture artistic talent and be a world leader in creativity and design.
Drawing on the V&A’s unrivalled collections and complemented by works drawn from across Britain, the exhibition brings together over 300 objects including product design, fashion and textiles, furniture, ceramics and glass, graphics, photography, architecture, fine art and sculpture telling the story of British design in all its forms.
Sponsored by Ernst & Young.
Suitable for
- Any age
Where
V&A
Admission
£12 in person at the V&A, concession available
Fees apply to phone and online bookings
V&A Members go free
For full visitor and booking information please see website:
Website
http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/exhibitions/exhibition-british-design/
Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton: A Diamond Jubilee Celebration
Presenting highlights of the V&A’s archive of Beaton’s royal photography, the exhibition will depict the Queen in her roles as princess, monarch and mother and include a number of photographs never before seen as well as Beaton’s diaries and letters
Romantic images of the teenage Princess Elizabeth and her mother and sister are followed by glittering and highly-staged photographs of the Queen in her Coronation robes. There are tender portraits of the Queen at home with her husband and young family, and later official portraits. The exhibition includes a number of rarely seen photographs, as well as film clips and Beaton's personal scrapbooks, and shows how the popular image of the monarchy changed dramatically over the course of the 20th century.
With thanks to Garrard.
Suitable for
- Any age
Where
The Porter Gallery, V&A
Admission
£7.00 Full (including donation*)
£6.00 Senior citizens (including donation*)
£6.00 Full
£5.00 Senior citizens
£5.00 Full-time students, 12-17 year olds, ES40 holders
£11.00 Family of 3 (1 adult & 2 12-17 year olds)
£17.00 Family of 4 (2 adults & 2 12-17 year olds)
Plus £1 handling charge per transaction
*If you donate a minimum of 10% on top of your ticket price and are a UK tax payer, the Gift Aid scheme means we can claim back the tax you have already paid on the earnings used to buy the ticket. This means we can claim an additional 28p for every £1 you give us – vital support for our work.
See below for full booking info.
Website
http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/exhibitions/cecilbeaton/visitor-and-ticket-information/
Ballgowns: British Glamour Since 1950
From spring 2012 the V&A celebrates the opening of the newly renovated Fashion Galleries with an exhibition of beautiful ballgowns, red carpet evening dresses and catwalk showstoppers.
Displayed over two floors, 'Ballgowns: British Glamour Since 1950' will feature more than sixty designs for social events such as private parties, royal balls, state occasions and opening nights.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
Admission charges will apply. Check the website below for updates.
Website
http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/exhibitions/ballgowns/ballgowns-british-glamour-since-1950/
Exhibition - Heatherwick Studio: Designing The Extraordinary
As part of a season of events celebrating British design, the V&A presents the first major solo exhibition of the work of Heatherwick Studio, one of the most inventive and experimental British design studios practicing today.
The enormous variety of projects that Heatherwick Studio have worked on over the last two decades spans the disciplines of architecture, sculpture, engineering, furniture and product design.
Suitable for
- Any age
Where
Porter Gallery, V&A
Admission
Admission charge will apply - check back at the website below for more details.
Website
http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/exhibitions/heatherwick-studio/about-the-exhibition/
Golden Spider Silk
This display showcases the world’s largest pieces of cloth made from spider silk. It includes a brocaded shawl made from the silk of more than one million female golden orb-weaver spiders collected in the highlands of Madagascar, as well as a cape on public display for the first time.
The display also features background material and a short film revealing the process.
Suitable for
- Any age
Where
Room 17a, V&A
Admission
Free.
Website
Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell Road
South Kensington
London
Greater London
SW7 2RL
England
Website
Telephone
Information/Switchboard
020 7942 2000
Fax
020 7942 2266
Diana Rigg - Evening Talk
Join Diana Rigg DBE, best-known for her portrayals of Emma Peel in the hugely
successful 1960s series The Avengers as she talks to critic Al Senter about her successful and varied T.V. and theatre career.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
When
7-8pm
Where
V&A
Admission
£9, £6 concessions. To book please call 020 7942 2211.
Website
The New Medallists
Natasha Ratcliffe, Petra Mills, Sara Richards, Chloe Shaw, Phoebe Stannard and Heidi Hinder are the New Medallists. Their work breathes new life into the centuries-old art of the medal.
Usually cast in metal, art medals are small sculptures, made for personal pleasure or contemplation. In this display, the New Medallists will tell us the thoughts behind the medals they created.
Suitable for
- Any age
Where
Room 111
Admission
Free admission.
Website
Create! Devise a Performance
Develop your drama performance skills and create exciting live shows inspired by objects in the galleries. Find out different ways of engaging an audience and at the end of this fast-paced day, perform to a live audience in the Museum.
Led by a professional director.
Monday 13 February (11-12 years)
Tuesday 14 February (13-15 years)
Wednesday 15 February (16-19 years)
When
11am-4pm
Where
The Lydia & Manfred Gorvy Lecture Theatre, V&A
Admission
£15 per workshop, please phone 020 7942 2211 to book.
Website
http://www.vam.ac.uk/whatson/event/1592/create-devise-a-performance-2734/
Make it: Weave
In this artist led session, make your own woven textiles with unusual materials inspired by the Golden Spider Silk display.
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum 1 adult per child.
Monday 13 - Friday 17 February
10.30 - 12.30 & 14.30 - 16.30
Advance booking essential.
Suitable for
- Especially for children
- Family friendly
When
2:30-4:30pm
Where
Art Studio, Sackler Centre, V&A
Admission
£3 per child, children must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum 1 adult per child. Advance booking essential. To book please call, 020 7942 2211.
Website
Make it: Weave
In this artist led session, make your own woven textiles with unusual materials inspired by the Golden Spider Silk display.
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum 1 adult per child.
Monday 13 - Friday 17 February
10.30 - 12.30 & 14.30 - 16.30
Advance booking essential.
Suitable for
- Especially for children
- Family friendly
When
10:30am-12:30pm
Where
Art Studio, Sackler Centre, V&A
Admission
£3 per child, children must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum 1 adult per child. Advance booking essential. To book please call, 020 7942 2211.
Website
Create! Devise a Performance
Develop your drama performance skills and create exciting live shows inspired by objects in the galleries. Find out different ways of engaging an audience and at the end of this fast-paced day, perform to a live audience in the Museum.
Led by a professional director.
Monday 13 February (11-12 years)
Tuesday 14 February (13-15 years)
Wednesday 15 February (16-19 years)
When
11am-4pm
Where
The Lydia & Manfred Gorvy Lecture Theatre, V&A
Admission
£15 per workshop, please phone 020 7942 2211 to book.
Website
http://www.vam.ac.uk/whatson/event/1592/create-devise-a-performance-2734/
Make it: Weave
In this artist led session, make your own woven textiles with unusual materials inspired by the Golden Spider Silk display.
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum 1 adult per child.
Monday 13 - Friday 17 February
10.30 - 12.30 & 14.30 - 16.30
Advance booking essential.
Suitable for
- Especially for children
- Family friendly
When
10:30am-12:30pm
Where
Art Studio, Sackler Centre, V&A
Admission
£3 per child, children must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum 1 adult per child. Advance booking essential. To book please call, 020 7942 2211.
Website
Make it: Weave
In this artist led session, make your own woven textiles with unusual materials inspired by the Golden Spider Silk display.
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum 1 adult per child.
Monday 13 - Friday 17 February
10.30 - 12.30 & 14.30 - 16.30
Advance booking essential.
Suitable for
- Especially for children
- Family friendly
When
2:30-4:30pm
Where
Art Studio, Sackler Centre, V&A
Admission
£3 per child, children must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum 1 adult per child. Advance booking essential. To book please call, 020 7942 2211.
Website
Create! Devise a Performance
Develop your drama performance skills and create exciting live shows inspired by objects in the galleries. Find out different ways of engaging an audience and at the end of this fast-paced day, perform to a live audience in the Museum.
Led by a professional director.
Monday 13 February (11-12 years)
Tuesday 14 February (13-15 years)
Wednesday 15 February (16-19 years)
When
11am-4pm
Where
The Lydia & Manfred Gorvy Lecture Theatre, V&A
Admission
£15 per workshop, please phone 020 7942 2211 to book.
Website
http://www.vam.ac.uk/whatson/event/1592/create-devise-a-performance-2734/
Make it: Weave
In this artist led session, make your own woven textiles with unusual materials inspired by the Golden Spider Silk display.
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum 1 adult per child.
Monday 13 - Friday 17 February
10.30 - 12.30 & 14.30 - 16.30
Advance booking essential.
Suitable for
- Especially for children
- Family friendly
When
10:30am-12:30pm
Where
Art Studio, Sackler Centre, V&A
Admission
£3 per child, children must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum 1 adult per child. Advance booking essential. To book please call, 020 7942 2211.
Website
Make it: Weave
In this artist led session, make your own woven textiles with unusual materials inspired by the Golden Spider Silk display.
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum 1 adult per child.
Monday 13 - Friday 17 February
10.30 - 12.30 & 14.30 - 16.30
Advance booking essential.
Suitable for
- Especially for children
- Family friendly
When
2:30-4:30pm
Where
Art Studio, Sackler Centre, V&A
Admission
£3 per child, children must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum 1 adult per child. Advance booking essential. To book please call, 020 7942 2211.
Website
Create! Image Makers
Who creates a unique style and brand for a star? Using The House of Annie Lennox exhibition as inspiration, find out what’s involved in being an image maker. With the input of a fashion designer and stylist you will create a concept for your star, draw the outfits they will wear and on day two, learn all about make-up and how to create a look.
For 13-15 years.
This is a two day course.
When
11am-4pm
Where
Seminar Room 2, Sackler Centre, V&A
Admission
£30, to book please call 020 7942 2211.
Website
http://www.vam.ac.uk/whatson/event/1594/create-image-makers-2736/
Make it: Weave
In this artist led session, make your own woven textiles with unusual materials inspired by the Golden Spider Silk display.
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum 1 adult per child.
Monday 13 - Friday 17 February
10.30 - 12.30 & 14.30 - 16.30
Advance booking essential.
Suitable for
- Especially for children
- Family friendly
When
2:30-4:30pm
Where
Art Studio, Sackler Centre, V&A
Admission
£3 per child, children must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum 1 adult per child. Advance booking essential. To book please call, 020 7942 2211.
Website
Make it: Weave
In this artist led session, make your own woven textiles with unusual materials inspired by the Golden Spider Silk display.
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum 1 adult per child.
Monday 13 - Friday 17 February
10.30 - 12.30 & 14.30 - 16.30
Advance booking essential.
Suitable for
- Especially for children
- Family friendly
When
10:30am-12:30pm
Where
Art Studio, Sackler Centre, V&A
Admission
£3 per child, children must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum 1 adult per child. Advance booking essential. To book please call, 020 7942 2211.
Website
Make it: Weave
In this artist led session, make your own woven textiles with unusual materials inspired by the Golden Spider Silk display.
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum 1 adult per child.
Monday 13 - Friday 17 February
10.30 - 12.30 & 14.30 - 16.30
Advance booking essential.
Suitable for
- Especially for children
- Family friendly
When
10:30am-12:30pm
Where
Art Studio, Sackler Centre, V&A
Admission
£3 per child, children must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum 1 adult per child. Advance booking essential. To book please call, 020 7942 2211.
Website
Make it: Weave
In this artist led session, make your own woven textiles with unusual materials inspired by the Golden Spider Silk display.
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum 1 adult per child.
Monday 13 - Friday 17 February
10.30 - 12.30 & 14.30 - 16.30
Advance booking essential.
Suitable for
- Especially for children
- Family friendly
When
2:30-4:30pm
Where
Art Studio, Sackler Centre, V&A
Admission
£3 per child, children must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum 1 adult per child. Advance booking essential. To book please call, 020 7942 2211.
Website
Create! Costume Design
Create a range of costume designs for a live music concert, dance show or stage performance. Using the Theatre and Performance collections as inspiration, find out how to capture ideas on paper for a collection of outfits needed for a show and learn how to create and communicate a concept for a performance.
Led by a professional costume designer.
Saturday 18 February (13-15 years)
Saturday 25 February (16-19 years)
When
11am-4pm
Where
Art Studio, Sackler Centre, V&A
Admission
£15 per workshop. To book please call 020 7942 2211.
Website
http://www.vam.ac.uk/whatson/event/1593/create-costume-design-2735/
Create! Costume Design
Create a range of costume designs for a live music concert, dance show or stage performance. Using the Theatre and Performance collections as inspiration, find out how to capture ideas on paper for a collection of outfits needed for a show and learn how to create and communicate a concept for a performance.
Led by a professional costume designer.
Saturday 18 February (13-15 years)
Saturday 25 February (16-19 years)
When
11am-4pm
Where
Art Studio, Sackler Centre, V&A
Admission
£15 per workshop. To book please call 020 7942 2211.
Website
http://www.vam.ac.uk/whatson/event/1593/create-costume-design-2735/
Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell Road
South Kensington
London
Greater London
SW7 2RL
England
Website
Telephone
Information/Switchboard
020 7942 2000
Fax
020 7942 2266
Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell Road
South Kensington
London
Greater London
SW7 2RL
England
Website
Telephone
Information/Switchboard
020 7942 2000
Fax
020 7942 2266
Getting there
London Underground (The Tube): The V&A is a five minute walk from South Kensington underground station (on the Piccadilly, Circle and District Line). South Kensington is a five minute tube journey from Victoria, ten minutes from Covent Garden and Leicester Square and 15 minutes from King's Cross St Pancras.
The V&A is a ten minute walk from Knightsbridge underground station (on the Piccadilly Line). Knightsbridge is a ten minute tube journey from Covent Garden and Leicester Square and 15 minutes from Kings Cross St Pancras.
Bus: Buses C1, 14, 74 and 414 stop outside the Cromwell Road entrance. The Open Tour stop outside the Museum as part of their Double Decker Bus site-seeing tour of London.
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