What's happened
The V&A East Storehouse opens this weekend in London, offering visitors unprecedented access to over 250,000 artifacts from the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection. This innovative museum experience allows guests to request and view unique objects up close, transforming traditional museum engagement.
What's behind the headline?
Innovative Access to Art
The V&A East Storehouse represents a significant shift in museum accessibility, allowing visitors to interact with artifacts in a way that traditional museums do not.
- User Engagement: The 'order-an-object' service democratizes access to art, inviting a broader audience to engage with cultural treasures.
- Cultural Impact: This model could inspire other institutions to rethink their storage and display strategies, potentially leading to a more inclusive cultural landscape.
- Future of Museums: As museums face challenges in storage and public engagement, the V&A's approach may set a precedent for future developments in the sector, emphasizing transparency and accessibility.
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, the V&A East Storehouse is described as 'the museum of the future' and has received five-star reviews from critics. The article highlights the innovative 'order-an-object' initiative, which allows visitors to book and examine priceless artifacts for free. In contrast, Bloomberg emphasizes the sheer scale of the collection available, noting the eclectic mix of items from medieval armor to modern fashion. Both sources agree on the transformative potential of this new museum model, with The Guardian pointing out its aim to attract a younger audience and foster innovation in cultural engagement.
How we got here
The V&A East Storehouse is a response to the museum's previous storage challenges, aiming to make its vast collection more accessible. This initiative follows the museum's eviction from its Kensington storage home a decade ago, leading to a reimagining of how collections can be displayed and engaged with.
Go deeper
- What types of artifacts can visitors see?
- How does the ordering process work?
- What are the future plans for the V&A East?
Common question
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What to Expect at the V&A East Storehouse in London?
The V&A East Storehouse has opened its doors, promising a revolutionary museum experience. With over 250,000 artifacts from the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection, this new venue is designed to engage visitors in unprecedented ways. Curious about what makes this museum different? Here are some common questions and answers to help you navigate this exciting new cultural space.
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The Victoria and Albert Museum in London is the world's largest museum of applied and decorative arts and design, as well as sculpture, housing a permanent collection of over 2.27 million objects.
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