Our work

The V&A changes constantly. As a museum, we collect cutting-edge design, present the latest research to new audiences, and document ever-changing culture. For almost 170 years, the V&A has evolved in line with its original vision, growing through its collections, exhibitions, audiences and staff. Every member of the V&A team introduces new thinking to our institutional practice, and expands on the insights of the previous generations. We are expected to challenge our past, and look to progress. Through all aspects of our work, the V&A creates space for debate, dialogue and reinvention.

As an institution, we want our work to be more transparent. We also recognise we are accountable to the public, and strive to reflect conversations in society about issues such as anti-racism, accessibility, restitution, sustainability and the terminology we use to talk about our objects.

The pages here share some of our work around those concerns. They are updated regularly.

Accessibility

See our pages on Disability and Access for information about visiting our physical sites. You can also read the Accessibility Statement for our websites.

Anti-racism

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We continue to meet and exceed our duties under the Equality Act 2010 and are proactive in recognising and removing the barriers that people from all backgrounds may face in accessing our collections and services. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), is embedded into the values and behaviours that underpin the museum’s organisational strategy and, in 2022, we launched a comprehensive EDI strategy that embraces our workforce, programmes and sites. Read about it here.

Restitution and repatriation

Sustainability

Header image:

'April' wallpaper design by Jacqueline Groag, 1976. Collage and poster-colour over dye-line print. Museum no. E.944-1978