The V&A East has officially opened in Stratford with its inaugural exhibition, 'The Music is Black,' a comprehensive survey of Black British music. Curated by Jacqueline Springer, the landmark show features over 200 items ranging from traditional African drums and a Ben Enwonwu sculpture to contemporary pieces by Rene Matić and iconic stage outfits from artists like Pauline Black and Stormzy. The exhibition marks the first major show for the new £135m O’Donnell & Tuomey-designed building, which joins the V&A’s expanding portfolio of sites.
This opening is significant as it represents a major institutional endorsement of Black British music as a central pillar of the UK's cultural identity rather than a marginal subculture. By giving the subject the 'blockbuster' treatment usually reserved for high-fashion or historical retrospectives, the V&A is attempting to permanently shift how these archives are collected and valued. However, the launch arrives amid architectural debate over the building's design and mounting pressure on Director Tristram Hunt regarding fair pay for museum staff.