We’re only halfway through 2026 and the V&A has already given us some seriously impressive exhibitions (for a start, the fascinating Schiaparelli showcase, landmark Rising Voices show, and of course, the vital Music Is Black: A British Story at the brand new V&A East Museum in Stratford).
Now, there’s more to look forward to, as the V&A drops its first announcement for 2027: five exhibitions across its South Kensington, Stratford and Dundee museums.
Kicking things off in South Ken for 2027 is Punk to Pop (March 13, 2027 to January 2, 2028). Visitors will dive into the explosion across music, art and fashion that occurred from 1972 to 1985, and the way that the underground scenes and movements of the ’70s, united by punk’s DIY attitude, shaped pop culture in response to a social climate of austerity and political turbulence. In a statement, the V&A described the exhibition as consisting of “multi-sensory worlds”, in which visitors will encounter around 300 objects including stage costumes, music videos, photography and designs relating to artists like the Sex Pistols, The Slits, The Specials, Joy Division, Wham! and Eurythmics.
Over at V&A East, the museum will follow its Music Is Black exhibition with South Asia Now: Fashion. Art. Design.(April 24, 2027 to January 23, 2028). It’s set to become the first major international exhibition to celebrate the creative output of Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka – and it’ll feature new commissions and works never before shown in the UK. Rather than focusing on heritage and craft, this future-focused exhibition will show how this region is influencing global culture right now.
Later in the year, V&A South Kensington will unveil Sculpture in Clay: British Ceramics 1985 to Now (May 29, 2027 to February 6, 2028), which will feature some major installations by key British artists like Jacqueline Poncelet, Antony Gormley and Clare Twomey. Then in autumn, Chintz (September 18, 2027 to June 4, 2028) will span four centuries of the history of the South Asian fabric, tracing its rise to becoming one of the world’s most coveted fabrics to one of the most contentious.
Fashion fans may want to make a pilgrimage to V&A Dundee for Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery (March 27, 2027 to January 1, 2028), which will explore the role that jewellery has played in defining the look of the seminal British fashion designer.
