V&A East Launches with Black British Music Showcase

London, UK — The V&A East museum opened this weekend with its first exhibition, “The Music is Black,” a show focused on the history and influence of Black British music. Museum officials said the opening marks the start of a wider programme intended to place Black British cultural production more centrally within the UK’s national story.

The exhibition is curated by Jacqueline Springer and brings together approximately 200 items. Organisers said the selection follows a long arc, beginning with African origins and moving through to contemporary styles including drill and grime, presenting Black British music as a continuous and evolving tradition rather than a niche category.

Among the works included are a drum sculpture by Ben Enwonwu and a piece by Turner Prize nominee Rene Matić. The museum said these objects are used to connect music to wider artistic practice, reflecting how sound, visual culture, and identity have intersected across generations of Black British life.

Gus Casely-Hayford, the V&A East artistic director, said the exhibition sits within a broader effort to underline Black British music’s contribution to global culture. The museum’s framing aligns with recent public acknowledgements of Black music’s influence, including the 30th anniversary of the Mobo awards, which have been cited as a milestone in recognising Black music in the UK.

Officials also pointed to research indicating Black music generated 80% of the UK music industry’s revenue over the past three decades. The museum’s opening exhibition, they said, is intended to reflect that scale of impact by treating Black British music as a foundational element of the country’s cultural history, rather than a peripheral influence.

The new V&A East building was designed by O’Donnell & Tuomey and cost £135 million. The project has received mixed architectural reviews, according to the information provided, placing the museum’s debut in the context of broader public scrutiny that often accompanies major cultural infrastructure spending.

The opening weekend also coincided with a campaign calling for a living wage for all museum workers. Campaign organisers said the effort has attracted more than 21,000 signatures, highlighting labour issues alongside the museum’s cultural ambitions.