The V&A East Museum is set to open in Stratford, London, this Saturday, marking a significant milestone in the vibrant East Bank cultural district located within the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. This new facility, which has been designed by architects at a cost of £135 million, is positioned just a short distance from the V&A East Storehouse—recently acknowledged by Time Magazine as one of The World’s Greatest Places to Visit in 2026—and Sadler’s Wells East, both of which debuted last year. The London College of Fashion has been operational in the area since 2024, with the BBC Music Studios scheduled to launch in 2027. This development epitomizes London’s evolution into a modern cultural hub, encompassing art, design, dance, fashion, and music.
Once overlooked, this part of London—described by Gus Casely-Hayford, the director of V&A East, as a “place where fridges went to die”—has undergone a remarkable transformation into a center for creativity. However, across many regions of the UK, the narrative is quite different, characterized by declining visitor numbers, job losses, and the shutdown of cherished music venues and artistic spaces. The contrast between these architectural landmarks and the deteriorating theatres and museums found outside the capital—and even compared to well-maintained counterparts in Europe—is stark.
In response to this situation, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy aims to bolster the cultural landscape of the UK through her Arts Everywhere Fund, which was introduced in 2025 as a £1.5 billion initiative to support cultural organizations over five years. Recently, £130 million was distributed among over 130 museums, theatres, venues, and libraries across England, marking the most substantial financial support for the arts in a decade.
This funding is critical for both emerging and established institutions, regardless of their size. Recipients range from the prominent Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Newcastle to the small Armitt Museum in Ambleside, which houses Beatrix Potter’s watercolors, as well as the renowned Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford and the innovative TwoCan Theatre Company in Gloucestershire, dedicated to providing workshops for individuals who are deaf, neurodivergent, or disabled.
The UK holds one of the lowest rates of government investment in culture compared to other European nations, with per capita funding declining by nearly a third since 2010. Nevertheless, the creative sector is a significant economic contributor, generating an estimated £40 billion in 2024, and serves as an important tool for soft power. The arts are increasingly acknowledged for their role in promoting well-being and fostering social unity. Accessible venues that allow individuals to engage with music, theatre, and heritage can serve as vital resources for communities.
Financial support is essential not only for buildings but also for the individuals who animate them. Over the past year, numerous protests and layoffs have occurred at several of the UK’s most prestigious institutions. Even before its official opening, staff at V&A East have voiced their demands for a living wage through an open letter addressed to museum leadership.
In its inaugural year, the V&A Storehouse welcomed 500,000 visitors, many of whom were younger, more diverse, and local compared to the patrons of other V&A locations. The V&A East Museum aspires to replicate this success. Engaging new audiences, including artists, starts with education, indicating that investments in cultural infrastructure must go hand in hand with enhancements in arts education.
Addressing over a decade of neglect is a gradual process, necessitating ongoing financial support amid rising costs. The arts often become vulnerable to funding cuts during challenging economic times. The launch of Arts Everywhere is a reason for optimism, benefiting not just the directly supported venues but society as a whole. Nandy has reaffirmed Labour’s commitment to ensuring access to the arts for everyone, sending a strong message that art remains significant even in the most trying circumstances.
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