Category: V&A Museum

Week In Review: June 25 , 2023 – July 01, 2023

This week the Princess of Wales had two public engagements. They are highlighted below.

On June 27, 2023, Catherine, Princess Of Wales, opened “Hope Street” at Hope Street in Southampton, England. Hope Street is a residential community developed by One Small Thing, piloting a new approach to supporting women in the justice system. One Small Thing is a charity that aims to redesign the justice system for women and their children by changing the way the justice system responds to women and their children, educating people within the justice system on the impact of trauma, and influencing politicians and policymakers to encourage culture change across the justice system and the people who work within it. Hope Street is the first of its kind. It aims to offer a community alternative for women who would otherwise be imprisoned unnecessarily due to a lack of safe accommodation or concerns around their well-being. The Princess toured the facility and learned about the support residents would receive. She also spent time with staff and left a handwritten message on the facility’s Tree of Hope. “I see you, and I am with you. Good luck in all that lies ahead,” she wrote, signing the note as simply “Catherine.”‘ I’m sure this is not the last we hear of One Small Thing or Hope Street; I wouldn’t be surprised if Catherine became a Patron. The Hope Street project aligns perfectly with her work in the early years, addiction, and work with women in the justice system.

On June 28, 2023, the Princess of Wales officially opened the Young Victoria & Albert Museum, formerly the V&A Museum of Childhood. It was an exciting day for all involved, as the museum had been under construction for three years, with schoolchildren, teachers, and parents partnering in various workshops to design the building and galleries. The Young V&A is dedicated to children up to fourteen, housing the largest collection of childhood objects in the United Kingdom. The Princess of Wales, who has been the Patron of the Victoria & Albert Museum since 2018, toured the new building and spent time with children in different galleries, hearing their thoughts about the museum. It’s wonderful to see such an important cultural institution dedicated to young people, and we can only imagine the joy and wonder that will come from exploring the Young V&A.

Check out our page dedicated to Catherine’s work with the Victoria & Albert Museum here.

GALLERY LINKS:

– Engagements & Tour Photos > 2023 > June 27 | The Princess Of Wales Opens Hope Street
– Engagements & Tour Photos > 2023 > June 28 | The Princess Of Wales Officially Opens The Young V&A

January 29 – The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Visit Dundee

On (January 30, 2018) The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Dundee, Scotland to open the new V&A Museum and to meet employees and their families from the Dundee Michelin factory. The Earl and Countess of Strathearn as they are known in Scotland started their set of engagements at V&A Dundee, Scotland’s first design museum. William and Catherine met with met architect of the building as well as representatives from the Young Peoples Collective, who design programmes, and lead activities and tours of the Museum.

The Duchess of Cambridge gave a speech in her role as Patron of the V&A saying:

‘William and I are so pleased to be back here in Dundee to celebrate the opening of this wonderful museum today. Thank you so much for inviting us. Last February, I was delighted to become Patron of The V&Ain London. Now, nearly a year later, I’m thrilled to be standing in a brand new V&A: one which has been built for the city of Dundee and for Scotland, and which is already picking up international awards. In its first four months alone, it welcomed over three-hundred and sixty-thousand visitors – a truly remarkable feat.

Walking around this world-class space, it’s easy to see how Scotland’s first dedicated design museum is already inspiring the next generation, by providing a new learning space for discovery. I have been captivated by the breath-taking architecture, and the sheer range of design on display. But most of all I’ve been moved by the passion of the people who work here, and the dedication of all those who have helped make this important project to succeed.

I believe we should celebrate all our leading galleries, museums, and cultural centres playing a greater role in communities, not just in London, but up and down the countrytoo. The cultural riches of the UK belong to all people of the UK. This is what V&A Dundee has achieved. The partners involved in this project from the local area, Scotland, and the UK more broadly all deserve enormous credit for the way you have collaborated to make this happen.

I hope that this Museum will serve as an inspiration to others, by showing how great things can be achieved when different communities all pull together. With this thought in mind, I am pleased to declare V&A Dundee ‘officially’ open. I wish you all every success for the future.’

The pair then went on a short walkabout outside the museum to greet the public.

On their second engagement The Earl and Countess met with employees and their families from the Dundee Michelin Factory at the Crescent Community Centre to hear first hand about the impact the factory’s closure is having on their families and the area. William and Catherine joined a meeting of the Michelin Dundee Action Group, which is working to repurpose the site and ensure new employment opportunities for the local area.

GALLERY LINK
Engagements & Tour Photos – 2019 – January 29: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Visit Dundee

Photos: October 10 – Opening The V&A Photography Centre

Tonight, (October 10, 2018) The Duchess of Cambridge made her first visit to the museum to open the new Photography Centre since becoming Patron in March of 2018. Catherine toured the opening display at the Photography Centre entitled Collecting Photography: From Daguerreotype to Digital. The display explores photography from the medium’s invention in the 19th century to the present day.

GALLERY LINK
Engagements & Tour Photos > 2018 > October 10 | Opening The V&A Photography Centre