The V&A has received £4m to redevelop its South Asia gallery and bring new transparency to the colonial history of the collections on display.
The reimagined space, which is expected to open in spring 2028, will showcase rarely seen works, including the newly restored 19th-century Kochi Ceilings, displayed for the first time in over 70 years.
New interpretation and immersive technology will bring the collection to life, alongside highlights such as a rare Ajanta cave painting copy, supported by a wide-ranging public programme.
The V&A has worked with a young people and multi-generational groups from the South Asian diaspora in the UK to explore topics including gallery themes, object displays and interpretation. The new gallery aims to reflect the voices and perspectives of multiple South Asian communities through co-working and co-curation, which will continue to shape the gallery’s interpretation.
The project is one of six to receive a share of £25m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to connect young people with heritage and creativity.
Historic Royal Palaces has been awarded £4.5m to transform its schools and community programme at the Tower of London. The money will support the creation of a new learning and community centre in the historic Waterloo Block to help the organisation meet demand, improve accessibility and boost environmental sustainability across the site.
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Also in London, Friends of Highgate Cemetery Trust has received £6.7m to support its plans to conserve the heritage, promote biodiversity and improve accessibility while the Zoological Society of London has received £177,000 development funding for a conservation project will bring young people, charter fishers and communities together to protect endangered sharks and rays in the Greater Thames Estuary.
In Bristol, £6m will help restore Kingsley Hall into a hub for disadvantaged young people and in Canterbury the Poor Priests’ Hospital will use its £4.4m to create a hub for arts, culture and community engagement.
Eilish McGuinness, the chief executive of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “The National Lottery Heritage Fund has a strong track record of supporting projects that put young people at their heart - not just taking part but helping to shape and lead what happens.
“Each of these newly funded projects are exploring ways for young people to get involved, as well as offering quality apprenticeships and research opportunities for hands on experience, such as research to safeguard endangered sharks in the Thames Estuary.
“These initiatives show how heritage is empowering the next generation - building confidence, skills and connecting with the heritage that matters to them - from historic places to the natural world.”