The Victoria and Albert Museum’s new David Bowie Centre will showcase over 90,000 artefacts, including iconic Ziggy Stardust costumes. The centre, set to open next year in the V&A’s East Storehouse within the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, will also host a Glastonbury Festival Exhibition.
Among the items to be displayed are handwritten lyrics to Bowie’s popular songs like “Fame” from 1975, “Heroes” from 1977, and “Ashes to Ashes” from 1980. Additionally, costumes worn during his Ziggy Stardust era will be on show. Bowie, known for his shape-shifting personas from Ziggy Stardust to Aladdin Sane and the Thin White Duke, used literary and artistic influences to underpin his characters.
The V&A acquired Bowie’s archive, with support from his estate, the Blavatnik Family Foundation, and Warner Music Group, leading to the creation of the new Bowie Centre. Scheduled to open on 31 May 2025, the centre will feature three zones with curated displays, audio-visual installations, and study areas for exploring Bowie’s archive at leisure.
Visitors will get insights into Bowie’s creative process, collaborations, and unrealised projects through smaller displays focusing on his albums. Tim Reeve, V&A’s deputy director, highlighted the centre’s aim to set a new standard for access to national collections, enriching London’s creative landscape.
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, praised the upcoming V&A East Storehouse as a valuable cultural addition, offering free access to diverse creative works. The East Storehouse is the first of two V&A attractions opening in east London, followed by the V&A East Museum in spring 2026.
The V&A has recently embraced pop music exhibitions, including a display on Taylor Swift and a collection of Sir Elton John’s photos. These initiatives demonstrate the museum’s commitment to celebrating diverse musical legacies through captivating exhibitions.