The V&A supports an active programme of loans to UK and international venues as a key means of making our collections more widely available to the public. We lend to more UK partners than any other museum and in doing so we seek to promote, support and develop the creative economy by inspiring designers and makers, and by stimulating enjoyment and appreciation of design.
Borrowing from the V&A collections
Formal loan requests from both UK and non-UK venues must be submitted with 12 months' notice. We suggest that preliminary research to identify which objects you would like to borrow should be carried out at least a year in advance of the desired start date of your loan.
Many objects from our collections can be viewed online. Curatorial staff are always happy to advise about the selection and general availability of objects for loan. Where possible, we recommend making a visit to the museum to view and discuss any objects under consideration.
All our loans are subject to our usual terms and conditions which are available below. We've also developed a useful guide to help you estimate timelines and potential borrowing costs.
Loans of more than 12 objects have a big impact on our busy conservation, technical services and registrar teams. If you are seeking to borrow more than 12 objects, please contact the Loans Section to discuss your project as soon as possible.
To make an initial enquiry and/or to find the most appropriate departmental contact please email: Loans_Section@vam.ac.uk
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Important changes and deadlines
Blythe House collections move
In January 2020 we initiated the largest move of our collections since the Second World War, as we relocate from our store in Blythe House, Olympia, to our new purpose-built facility, V&A East Storehouse, in Stratford's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. During this major move, due to be completed in Spring 2025, it won't be possible to lend collection items from Blythe House.
Subject to the usual 12 months' notice, we will welcome new loan requests from all V&A collections for exhibitions opening from June 2026.
Gilbert Collection
Please note that the Gilbert Collection is currently undergoing a large refurbishment of its galleries, due to be completed at the end of 2025. During this time, it will not be possible lend objects from the Gilbert Collection, as objects will not be accessible.
Subject to the usual 12 months' notice, we will welcome new loan requests from the Gilbert Collection for exhibitions opening from January 2027.
If you're considering making a loan request and are unsure if the item you'd like to borrow is affected by these plans, please contact us as soon as possible at: Loans_Section@vam.ac.uk
Explore our objects currently on loan on the V&A National interactive map
