FROM THE WEBSITE: The V&A is the world’s leading museum of art and design, housing a permanent collection of over 2.3 million objects that span over 5,000 years of human creativity. The Museum holds many of the UK’s national collections and houses some of the greatest resources for the study of architecture, furniture, fashion, textiles, photography, sculpture, painting, jewelry, glass, ceramics, book arts, Asian art and design, theatre and performance.

Our mission is to be recognised as the world’s leading museum of art, design and performance, and to enrich people’s lives by promoting research, knowledge and enjoyment of the designed world to the widest possible audience. We strive to make the V&A matter to more people and in that context we work to the following six strategic objectives:

– To create a world class visitor and learning experience across all V&A sites and collections.
– Focus and deepen the relevance of our collections to the UK creative and knowledge economy.
– Expand the V&A’s international reach, reputation and impact.
– To operate with financial and organisational initiative and efficiency.
– Showcase the best of digital design, and deliver an outstanding digital experience.
– Diversify and increase private and commercial funding sources.

INFORMATION:

— Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge has been Patron since March 2018.

QUOTES:

From its foundation by Prince Albert and Queen Victoria, the V&A has enjoyed a proud history of Royal support. We are delighted that HRH The Duchess of Cambridge has agreed to serve as Royal Patron of the Museum. The Duchess’s personal interest in photography, textiles and the visual arts, alongside her support for the role of art in supporting mental health and nurturing young people’s creative talent, fits naturally with the collections and civic purpose of the V&A. The Trustees, staff and members of the V&A look forward to working with Her Royal Highness across our museums in South Kensington, Bethnal Green and Dundee.—Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A

EFFORTS:

July 06, 2016 – Presenting The Art Fund Museum Of The Year Prize – The Duchess of Cambridge awarded the Victoria & Albert Museum the Art Fund Museum of the Year Award at the Natural History Museum in London. The prestigious award comes with a cash prize of £100,000 ($130,000) to help fund acquisitions and recognizes exceptional imagination, innovation, and achievement over the previous 12 months. The ceremony was attended by various dignitaries from the art world, including artists Antony Gormley, Cornelia Parker, and Yinka Shonibare, Tate director Nicholas Serota, and the UK’s Minister of State for Culture Ed Vaizey. The V&A was praised for its recent exhibitions, including Alexander McQueen and ‘The Fabric of India,’ and the opening of its new Europe 1600–1815 galleries. The Art Fund Museum of the Year Award is the world’s most significant museum award and the largest prize in the UK.

June 29, 2017 – Visits The New V&A Exhibition Road Quarter – Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visits the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) to officially open the Museum’s new entrance, courtyard and exhibition gallery in London, England. The V&A Exhibition Road Quarter was designed by British Architect Amanda Levete.

October 10, 2018 – Opening The V&A Photography Centre – The Duchess of Cambridge visited the museum to open the new Photography Centre. As the Patron of the museum since March 2018, Catherine was excited to tour the opening display entitled “Collecting Photography: From Daguerreotype to Digital.” The exhibition explores photography from the medium’s invention in the 19th century to the present day. The V&A’s website mentions that the “first phase of the centre will more than double the space dedicated to photography at the Museum.” A second phase is expected to open in 2022. She was shown Queen Victoria’s coronet during her visit, designed and made by her husband, Prince Albert, between 1840-1842. The diamond and sapphire coronet was a reminder of the museum’s name and a fitting moment to mark Catherine’s first visit as Royal Patron. Additionally, she had the opportunity to meet with curators and learn more about the museum’s collection.

January 29, 2019 – The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Visit Dundee – The Earl and Countess of Strathearn as they are known in Scotland started their day of engagements at V&A Dundee, Scotland’s first design museum. William and Catherine met with the 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 in part: “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.”

May 19, 2021 – The Duchess of Cambridge Visits The V&A – The Duchess of Cambridge visited the V&A Museum to view two new exhibitions now open to the public. She learned more about the updated gallery’s new digital experiences. Seeing how technology transforms how visitors view exhibitions in the museum’s Raphael Court was fascinating. The Duchess also had the opportunity to view the Raphael Cartoons, which are on loan from Queen Elizabeth II herself! Additionally, The Duchess checked out the new 2021 exhibition Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser. The exhibition features over 300 pieces that pay tribute to the classic story Alice in Wonderland and spans various realms of art, fashion, music, performance, and film. Lastly, Catherine spoke with the staff about their experiences working in the museum sector during the pandemic.

December 02, 2021 – The Duchess Visits The Faberge Exhibition At The V&A – The Duchess of Cambridge attended the “Fabergé in London: Romance to Revolution” exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The exhibition showcases over 200 objects that highlight the exquisite work of Russian jeweler Carl Fabergé, renowned for using precious gems and metals to craft jeweled Imperial eggs for the Russian Empire. Interestingly, the exhibition also features three items that were lent by Queen Elizabeth II – the Colonnade Egg, Basket of Flowers Egg, and the Mosaic Egg.

June 28, 2023 – The Princess Of Wales Officially Opens The Young V&A – 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.