The V&A Storehouse in east London has been awarded the Art Fund Museum of the Year 2026, the largest museum prize in the UK, worth £120,000. The museum, which opened in May 2025, is a vast storage facility that also serves as a public exhibition space, displaying more than 250,000 objects from the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection that were previously hidden from view.
What is the V&A Storehouse?
Located in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the Storehouse is a five-storey building designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, the architects behind New York's High Line. It functions as a visible storage facility, allowing visitors to see thousands of items ranging from furniture and ceramics to fashion and sculpture, all stored on open shelving. The museum aims to demystify how museums care for their collections and make them accessible.
Award and Significance
The Art Fund Museum of the Year prize is awarded annually to a museum or gallery in the UK that demonstrates outstanding achievement. According to Jenny Waldman, director of Art Fund, the V&A Storehouse was chosen for its "bold reimagining of what a museum can be" and its success in attracting a diverse audience. The museum reported over 500,000 visitors in its first year.
Impact on the Museum Sector
The win highlights a growing trend in the museum world towards open storage and transparency. Other finalists for the 2026 prize included the Young V&A in London, the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, and the Ulster Museum in Belfast. The V&A Storehouse's approach has been praised for making the museum's vast collection more accessible and for inspiring other institutions to consider similar models.
Quote from the Director
"We are thrilled to receive this recognition," said Tristram Hunt, director of the V&A. "The Storehouse is about sharing the stories behind our objects and inviting the public into the heart of our work. This award is a testament to the hard work of our team and the support of our visitors."
Future Plans
The £120,000 prize will be used to further develop educational programs and improve visitor facilities at the Storehouse. The museum plans to expand its public programming and increase digital access to its collections, ensuring that even more people can engage with the treasures it holds.
