Young V&A was announced as the Art Fund Museum of the Year 2024 in a gala ceremony at the National Gallery in London last night. Dr Helen Charman, Director of Young V&A, accepted the prestigious £120,000 prize—the most significant museum award in the world—presented by broadcaster and judge Vick Hope.
Dr Charman expressed her excitement, “Winning the Art Fund Museum of the Year 2024 is a tremendous honour. We were among incredible museums making a real difference across the UK. This award underscores the vital role of creativity, culture, and play in children’s lives, especially during economic hardship and under-investment in creative education. We will use the prize money to establish a creative network and program for early years providers along the Thames Estuary, supporting children from low-income households.”
The prize will enable Young V&A to expand its local community programs, reaching some of the most deprived areas from the Isle of Dogs to Southend on Sea. Working with caregivers, artists, museum professionals, and educators, the museum aims to create enriching cultural and playful learning experiences for young children.
Young V&A, designed for children from early years to early teens, is a vibrant museum that encourages creativity through its collection of nearly 2,000 toys, characters, objects, and artworks. Rooted in its East London community with a heritage spanning 150 years, it strives to inspire young creators and support art and design education for all.
Jenny Waldman, director of Art Fund and chair of the judges, praised Young V&A as an “inspirational museum” radically reimagined with and for young people. “Young V&A has created an active, empowering museum experience centred on learning through play,” she said. “It has deeply engaged with its local community and become an international beacon for what a children’s museum can be.”
Judge Vick Hope echoed this sentiment, highlighting the museum’s unique focus on empowering children to play, Design, and imagine their futures. “Young V&A offers an experience that places young people at its heart. It has had a remarkable global impact in a short time, showing the potential of museums for children worldwide.”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy congratulated Young V&A, acknowledging the competitive field of outstanding institutions. “Our world-leading museums inspire lifelong passions for learning, history, and the arts. Young V&A’s achievement is recognized by their hard work creating a unique space dedicated to young people.”
Opened on July 1, 2023, following a £13 million transformation of the former V&A Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green, Young V&A features three innovative galleries—Play, Imagine, and Design—a dynamic temporary exhibition space, and restored Grade II listed architectural features. It also boasts improved retail and café spaces, accessible facilities including an accredited Changing Places Toilet, and an expanded Clore Learning Centre and Creative Studios.
In its first year, Young V&A has received critical acclaim for its child-centred approach and welcomed over 730,000 visitors, reflecting its significant impact.
The 2024 Art Fund Museum of the Year shortlist included the Craven Museum in Skipton, Dundee Contemporary Arts, Manchester Museum, and the National Portrait Gallery in London. Each finalist receives £15,000, with the total prize fund increased to £180,000 to mark Art Fund’s 120th anniversary.
The judging panel, chaired by Jenny Waldman, included Anupam Ganguli, Vick Hope, artist Tania Kovats, and Sir John Leighton. The prize is supported by Art Fund members, who enjoy discounts and benefits at museums nationwide through the National Art Pass while contributing to the Art Fund’s mission of helping UK museums.