Victoria and Albert Museum
Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell Road
South Kensington
London
City of 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 Museum’s outstanding free permanent collection spans three thousand years of human creativity from all over the world. Galleries include spectacular ceramics, fashion, glass, jewellery, metalwork, sculpture, textiles and paintings. The V&A also has an extensive range of talks and lectures, courses and workshops, family activities and an internationally acclaimed programme of temporary exhibitions.
Venue Type:
Museum
Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell Road
South Kensington
London
City of London
SW7 2RL
England
Website
Telephone
Information/Switchboard
020 7942 2000
Fax
020 7942 2266
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
City of London
SW7 2RL
England
Website
Telephone
Information/Switchboard
020 7942 2000
Fax
020 7942 2266
Grace Kelly: Style Icon
This exhibition shows the spectacular wardrobe of Grace Kelly, one of the most popular actresses of the 1950s. Featuring dresses from her film including High Society and Rear Window, as well as the gown she wore to accept her Oscar in 1955, the display will examine Grace Kelly's glamorous Hollywood image and induring appeal. It will also explore the evolution of her style as Princess Grace of Monaco, from the outfit she wore to her first meeting with Prince Rainier in 1955 to her haute couture gowns of the 1960s and '70s by her favourite couturiers Dior, Balenciaga, Givenchy and Yves Saint Laurent.
Suitable for
- All ages
When
10am-5:45pm
Admission
£6
1:1 - Architects Build Small Space
The V&A has commissioned a group of international architects to build a series of structures throughout the Museum which will respond to the theme of the 'retreat'. The starting point for these experimental projects will be the idea of a small enclosed space representing an escape from the chaos of urban life to an area for peace, contemplation, shelter or creativity. One of the central aims of the exhibition is to move away from explaining architecture through drawings and models and instead allow the visitor to experience the architecture itself.
When
10am-5:45pm
Where
Porter Gallery
Admission
Free
Raphael: Cartoons and Tapestries for the Sistine Chapel
The V&A displays four outstanding tapestries designed by Raphael for the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican alongside their full-scale designs, the Raphael Cartoons. The Cartoons have been on display in the Museum since 1865, but the tapestries have never been shown before in the UK. This exhibition provides a unique opportunity to see these stunning designs and tapestries together - something Raphael himself never witnessed.
When
10am-5:45pm
Where
Raphael Gallery, room 48a
Admission
Free admission
Diaghilev and the Golden Age of the Ballets Russes 1909 - 1929
This major exhibition explores the world of the influencial artistic director, Serge Diaghilev and the most exciting dance company of the 20th century. Diaghilev combined dance, music and art in bold ways to create 'total theatre'. A consummate collaborator, he worked with Stravinsky, Chanel, Picasso, Matisse and Nijinsky.
Diaghilev's dramatic performances transformed dance, reawakening interest in ballet across Europe and America. This major retrospective celebrates his enduring influence on 20th-century art, design and fashion and includes more than 300 objects including giant backcloths, original costumes, set designs, props and posters.
When
10am-5:45pm
Where
Exhibition Courts
Admission
£10,in person at the V&A,concessions available;
Fees apply to phone and online bookings;
V&A Members go free.
Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell Road
South Kensington
London
City of London
SW7 2RL
England
Website
Telephone
Information/Switchboard
020 7942 2000
Fax
020 7942 2266
Sleepover
After the Summer Camp join the Serpentine Gallery and the V&A for an unforgettable night in the Serpentine Pavilion 2010 designed by Jean Nouvel.
When
10pm-8am
Where
Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2010
Admission
Places available by application, tickets are limited.
For further info and booking, please visit www.serpentinegallery.org
Summer Camp
The unmissable design and architecture event of the summer. Celebrate everyday design skills with leading artists and designers. Special family events on Saturday.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
When
6:30-5pm
Where
Throughout the V&A
Admission
Free, drop in
Beautiful Beautiful Zion
Hear the beating of sacred drums and immerse yourself in a Rastafarian recital of prayers, poems and songs. This intergenerational evening includes talks, tours, screeenings, workshops and a pulsating ecletctic Dub and Roots Reggae soundtrack.
Suitable for
- All ages
When
6:30-9:30pm
Where
Sackler Centre, V&A
Admission
Free and drop-in
Retro Hollywood Glamour
Bask in technicolour 1950s Hollywood glamour - from Grace Kelly to Marlon Brando.
When
6:30-10pm
Where
Throughout the V&A
Admission
Free, drop in
Introduction to Arduino
Get a hands-on introduction to Arduino, an open source electronics prototyping platform, and learn how to use simple electronics to make fun interactive projects. Make lights blink and visuals move when someone walks into a room, control sounds with your movements, and explore how to use sensors and control objects.
When
10:30am-5pm
Where
Art Studio, Sackler Centre V&A
Admission
£75, £60 concessions
Richard Seymour - Talking design
Hear from Richard Seymour, one of Britain's best-known and most accomplished designers. His leading design and innovation company, Seymourpowell, was launched in 1984. He is also consultant global creative director of design to the Unilever brands Dove, Lynx and Vaseline.
Suitable for
- Not suitable for children
When
7-8pm
Where
Hochhauser Auditorium
Admission
£8, £6 concessions
Nina Campbell & Marcus Barnett - Interior Design and Garden Design
Listen to Nina Campbell, the world - renowned interior designer and doyenne of domestic chic, in conversation with Marcus Barnett, twice-gold medal winner at Chelsea flower show. This event celebrates 50 years since the founding of the Inchbald School of Design.
Suitable for
- Not suitable for children
When
7-8pm
Where
Hochhauser Auditorium, V&A
Admission
£8, £6 concessions
Tile Art
Explore Medieval and Renaissance style in our new galleries before learning how to digitally create a pattern design for a tile, inspired by the ornamentation, images and objects that you saw there. You will work with digital artist Norihide Mizuguchi using Photoshop to create your design which will be transfer-printed onto tiles.
Suitable for
- Not suitable for children
When
10:30am-5pm
Where
Digital Studio, Sackler Centre, V&A
Admission
£60, £48 concessions
World Cities - Seville
Examine the history of pre-Christian Spain and the beautiful and ancient city of Seville. The capital of Andalucia, Seville is home to some of the world's finest examples of Mudejar and Medieval and Renaissance architecture, including the Gothic Cathedral and the Alcazar. It is also a centre for flamenco, bullfighting and tapas and is renowned for the vibrancy of its culture. Join historian Simon Barton, travel writer Andy Mossack and V&A curator Mariam Rosser-Owen to discuss the city's distinctive blend of ancient and modern.
Suitable for
- Not suitable for children
When
2-5pm
Where
Hochhauser Auditorium, V&A
Admission
£26, £21 concessions
Ken Yeang - Talking Architecture
Architect and ecologist Ken Yeang develops environmental design solutions to skyscrapers in the tropics. A pioneer of green design, he approaches each building as an addition to the earth's living,l breathing eco-system. His major projects include the New National Library of Singapore and Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Suitable for
- Not suitable for children
When
7-8pm
Where
Hochhauser Auditorium, V&A
Admission
£8, £6 concessions
Alain de Botton - Living Architecture
Philosopher and writer Alain de Botton talks about his new project, Living Architecture. Aiming to change perceptions of modern architecture, the project gives tenants the chance to rent architecturally interesting buildings in order to experience great architecture at first hand.
Suitable for
- Not suitable for children
When
7-8pm
Where
Lecture Theatre
Admission
£8, £6 concessions
Now We Has Jazz - Satchmo Remembered with the Cleveland Watkiss Quintet
Celebrate the legacy of legendary jazz virtuoso Louis Armstrong AKA Satchmo and his Hot Five quintet. Join Cleveland Watkiss and his quintet as they play songs recorded by Louis and Ella Fitgerald and tracks from High Society, Grace Kelly's last film. Bonnie Greer, award-winning novelist, playwright and author will also present a short biography of Louis Armstrong and introduce the quintet. An evening truly not to be missed!
When
7:45-10pm
Where
V&A Cafe'
Admission
Free and drop in
Sacred Masterpieces from Renaissance Rome
Discover the art and music of the Renaissance through the private viewing of the reunited Raphael Cartoons and Tapestries at the V&A and a concert in the dramatic surroundings of the London Oratory. The vivid, passionate music of Palestrina, Victoria, Frescobaldi and Allegri will be performed by the Choir of the London Oratory, renowned exponents of this repertoire.
Suitable for
- Not suitable for children
When
5:30-8:15pm
Where
V&A Raphael Gallery and the London Oratory
Admission
£15(concert), £18 (concert and viewing)
London Design Festival at the V&A
Enjoy an exciting array of displays, installations, talks and workshops throughout the V&A during the eight annual London Design Festival. As the Festival hub, the V&A will be the focal point of design-related activity and the first point of call for London's design community and Festival visitors from around the world.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
When
10am-5:45pm
Where
Throughout the V&A
Admission
Free access to the Sackler Centre; some events are ticketed.
For more information, please visit www.londondesignfestival.com
A.S. Byatt & Edmund de Waal - Inspired By
Booker-Prize winning author A.S.Byatt and acclaimed potter Edmund de Waal have both used museum collections to inspire their writing. Join them for a discussion of the associations and memories invested in historical objects and the processes involved in writing about them.
Suitable for
- Not suitable for children
When
7-8pm
Where
Hochhauser Auditorium, V&A
Admission
£8, £6 concessions
V&A Connects - with London Design Festival
Join us for an evening of ideas, inspiration, networking and discussion about design, architecture, fashion, media and other creative industries.
Suitable for
- Not suitable for children
When
6:30-8:30pm
Where
Lunchroom, Sackler Centre - V&A
Admission
£8, £6 concessions
ceramics on Show - Private and Public Displays (2 days)
Explore the ways in which ceramic objects have been put on show and celebrate the new Ceramics Galleries at the V&A. Our appreciation of ceramic objects is shaped by the ways in which they are grouped and displayed. This conference will explore both contemporary and historic practice, focusing on ceramics in museums, in retail and domestic environments, in architectural settings and in the display of contemporary ceramic art. Keynote speakers will include artist and writer Edmund de Waal and Reino Liefkes, lead curator of the new galleries.
When
10am-5:30pm
Where
Lecture Theatre
Admission
£92 for two days, £74 concessions, £10 students.
£46 for one day, £37 concessions, £5 concessions.
London Design Festival
An evening of performance and provocative debate exploring, challenging and celebrating contemporary design.
When
6:30-10pm
Where
Throughout the V&A
Admission
Free, drop in
Digital Design Weekend
Enjoy a weekend of digital demonstrations, presentations, lab and workshops. Drop-in and meet digital artists, designers and hackers, see them at work, ask questions and learn some techniques for yourself. Create digital badge designs in our family activity.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
When
10:30am-5pm
Where
Sackler Centre, V&A
Admission
Free, drop-in
Reuniting Raphael - Rome, Tapestries and Cartoons
Investigate the history and production of Raphael's celebrated tapestries which have been reunited with the full-size cartoons for the first time in their history. Widely regarded as masterpieces of High Renaissance art, the tapestries were commissioned by Pope Leo X for the Sistine Chapel. This day will explore their context within Medici patronage of the arts, the ways in which they were displayed, and the complex relationship between the artist's designs, the cartoons and the finished tapestries.
Suitable for
- Not suitable for children
When
10:30am-5pm
Where
Hochhauser Auditorium, V&A
Admission
£45, concessions available
Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell Road
South Kensington
London
City of London
SW7 2RL
England
Website
Telephone
Information/Switchboard
020 7942 2000
Fax
020 7942 2266
Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell Road
South Kensington
London
City of London
SW7 2RL
England
Website
Telephone
Information/Switchboard
020 7942 2000
Fax
020 7942 2266
- About
- | Collections
- | Exhibitions
- | Events
- | Resources
- | Map
