Last month, we threw open the doors of V&A East Storehouse for a careers open day like no other. With our official opening set for 31 May 2025, we wanted to give potential future employees a first glimpse into what’s coming – and, more importantly, how they can be a part of it.
Whether you’re job hunting, thinking about volunteering, or just curious about what goes on behind the scenes at a museum, this event was all about showing you the different ways to get involved. We teamed up with London Legacy Development Corporation, Good Growth Hub, and shared local borough Recruitment Teams to spread the word, reaching thousands of local people and youth networks with over 1800 people registering interest to attend.
What Went Down?
We welcomed over 800 people over 2 days with stands from different teams across the museum, including Front of House, Collections Care & Access, Volunteering, Learning & Engagement, and People & Change. Each team was there to chat about what they do and what roles they’ll be hiring for in the coming months.
“The warmness of the staff and their openness has been second to none. No question was off limits, and they created an environment where both applicants and staff had something to learn from each other.”
We also ran regular talks from our Learning & Engagement team, giving visitors an intro to the storehouse and a sneak peek at the incredible work that happens here. Plus, we played our Youth Collective video, showcasing the voices of young creatives who are already shaping the future of V&A East.
And for those thinking about applying for a job but needing some support, we ran application writing workshops, with our People & Change team on hand with real-time tips, guidance handouts, and details on pay and benefits. We even signposted current and future job openings – including roles at the upcoming V&A East Museum.
“I never believed as a disabled girl that I could be part of this world. I came to the open day, and I have been made to feel that I can be here. I’ve never had such a positive experience before. The inclusion and the creativity are beyond any measurement.”
First Sneak Peek Inside Storehouse
We opened the shutters to give attendees a first look into the collection hall, the only people to peek into our new space outside of staff and press. This space will be at the heart of V&A East Storehouse, where visitors can explore incredible objects from our collection up close.
“I’m born and raised in east London and have seen the huge changes to the area in the last 15 years. I want to remain local, and having a job with a cultural institution that benefits the local community and encourages more visitors to east London is a great incentive.”
Finding our Team
Our open days got a ton of people excited about joining our Front of House team! For the Floor Assistant role alone (we’ve got about 20 full- and part-time spots to fill), we received over 1,500 applications.
After shortlisting, we’re now gearing up for four fun and interactive assessment days to help us build our dream team. These sessions aren’t your typical interviews – they’re all about teamwork, problem-solving, and real-life scenarios designed to bring out everyone’s unique strengths in an inclusive way.
It’s also a great chance for candidates to meet our Floor Managers and Senior Operations Team, get a feel for how things run at V&A East Storehouse, and see what makes our visitor experience so special.
What’s Next?
If you missed the open day, don’t worry – we’ll have plenty of opportunities to get involved in the lead-up to our big opening in 31 May 2025. Keep an eye on our website and social channels for updates on job openings, volunteering roles and much more.
