A multi-million pound project, dubbed “Olympicopolis”, which would see the V&A and University College London (UCL) open branches on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, was given Treasury backing last week, as part of the National Infrastructure Plan announced by the chancellor.
The V&A site will host objects from the museum’s permanent collection, as well as providing space for temporary and touring exhibitions and a research and conservation centre.
UCL’s plans include a new centre for culture and heritage, a design school, a biotech hub, an educational technology centre, and a space for entrepreneurs.
The hope is that the project will attract other institutions and businesses to the site, and link to Tech City and iCITY’s network of East London-based digital companies.
But some are questioning the decision to create another national museum site in London.
Maurice Davies, the Museums Association’s (MA) head of policy and communications, said: “Increasing access to the V&A's collection and exhibitions is welcome. But I wonder whether London is the most appropriate place for a new venture.
“Recently there's been great concern about the serious imbalance between cultural funding and provision in London and in the rest of the country. I wonder whether the V&A has properly taken that into account.”
A V&A spokeswoman said: “The V&A is excited to have been offered the opportunity to be part of this. The museum's involvement is driven by an ambition to make the V&A matter more to more people.
"We have a very active programme around the country including partnerships with museums and galleries in Coventry and Sheffield, touring exhibitions and loans, and of course the new museum of design that we are building in Dundee.
“We have agreed in principle to be involved in the Olympic Park development subject to future feasibility studies.”
Decisions on cost and staffing had not yet been made yet, she added.
The V&A is now working with the government, UCL, and the Mayor of London’s office to establish a detailed business case and funding arrangements, while talks with other institutions to explore tie-ins with UCL and the V&A are to be held in 2014.
The “Olympicopolis” announcement follows the publication of a report last month by King’s College London, supported by Legacy Trust UK, calling for the creation of a consortium body to lead, direct and deliver the Olympic legacy.
The report drew on a survey of 2,000 UK adults carried out by Legacy Trust UK that found 62% of the UK public would like to see arts and culture routinely programmed as an integrated element of major events, and more needs to be done to integrate culture into the planning and delivery of major events.
The V&A site will host objects from the museum’s permanent collection, as well as providing space for temporary and touring exhibitions and a research and conservation centre.
UCL’s plans include a new centre for culture and heritage, a design school, a biotech hub, an educational technology centre, and a space for entrepreneurs.
The hope is that the project will attract other institutions and businesses to the site, and link to Tech City and iCITY’s network of East London-based digital companies.
But some are questioning the decision to create another national museum site in London.
Maurice Davies, the Museums Association’s (MA) head of policy and communications, said: “Increasing access to the V&A's collection and exhibitions is welcome. But I wonder whether London is the most appropriate place for a new venture.
“Recently there's been great concern about the serious imbalance between cultural funding and provision in London and in the rest of the country. I wonder whether the V&A has properly taken that into account.”
A V&A spokeswoman said: “The V&A is excited to have been offered the opportunity to be part of this. The museum's involvement is driven by an ambition to make the V&A matter more to more people.
"We have a very active programme around the country including partnerships with museums and galleries in Coventry and Sheffield, touring exhibitions and loans, and of course the new museum of design that we are building in Dundee.
“We have agreed in principle to be involved in the Olympic Park development subject to future feasibility studies.”
Decisions on cost and staffing had not yet been made yet, she added.
The V&A is now working with the government, UCL, and the Mayor of London’s office to establish a detailed business case and funding arrangements, while talks with other institutions to explore tie-ins with UCL and the V&A are to be held in 2014.
The “Olympicopolis” announcement follows the publication of a report last month by King’s College London, supported by Legacy Trust UK, calling for the creation of a consortium body to lead, direct and deliver the Olympic legacy.
The report drew on a survey of 2,000 UK adults carried out by Legacy Trust UK that found 62% of the UK public would like to see arts and culture routinely programmed as an integrated element of major events, and more needs to be done to integrate culture into the planning and delivery of major events.
