The V&A has announced a new festival which will countdown to the re-opening of Young V&A, formerly known as the V&A Museum of Childhood.
Young V&A’s Reinvent Festival is designed to offer a taste of what’s to come at the museum, which is set to open next Summer following a major redevelopment.
The festival launches on 24 June 2022 with an online summit, Sparking Creative Futures, headlined by children’s author, Ed Vere, and live-illustrated by Beano’s youngest ever artist, Zoom Rockman.
As part of the festival, a series of family friendly events, activities and pop-ups will take place in partnership with east London venues.
On 26 June 2022, the V&A will celebrate its 150th birthday weekend with families at Rich Mix’s ‘Everyone a Maker’ event, and in July, the museum will be running collaborative story-making assemblies throughout Tower Hamlets primary schools.
Other events will include pop ups at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and a two-day pop-up photography studio at Oxford House, from which a selection of the photographs will go on display in the This is Me section in Young V&A’s new Imagine Gallery.
Dr Helen Charman, Director of Young V&A, said: “For 150 years, the V&A has been embedded in its local community, and we can’t wait to open Young V&A in Summer 2023 as a new museum that puts children and their creative futures front and centre.
“The World Economic Forum has made an urgent call to prioritise playful learning and help equip future generations with the creative, social and emotional skills they need to thrive in today’s complex world.”
Catherine Ritman-Smith, Head of Learning and Engagement, added: “We’re experimenting with new ideas and activities and looking forward to giving you a glimpse of what we have in store for you when Young V&A opens next Summer”.
