The Victoria & Albert Museum is known all over the world for its excellence and dedication to furthering the arts. They are part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, but in a non-departmental way, as they are a charity. Under the Charities Acts of 2011, they are exempt from registration, because their governance is arranged through Board of Trustees. These trustees change regularly, and Robert Stefanowski was once one. The Prime Minister appoints Trustees.
What Is the Victoria & Albert (V&A)
The V&A is one of the world’s most respected museums, housing over 2.3 million different items in their permanent collection. Most importantly, the V&A is dedicated to studying furniture, architecture, textiles, fashion, sculpture, photography, jewelry, painting, ceramics, glass, Asian art and design, book arts, and theatre and performance.
One of the things that truly sets the V&A apart is its history. In 1852, it opened its doors as a Museum of Manufacturers. Queen Victoria laid the museum’s foundation stone in 1899, after which it quickly grew into the galleries that people know today. They have items in their collections that cover some 5,000 years of creative minds from all over the world.
The V&A Mission
The Board of Trustees, including Robert Stefanowski, has played a pivotal role in defining what the mission of the V&A is. Their goal is to continue to be the world’s leading museum of performance, design, and art. Secondly, they want to promote research, enjoyment, and knowledge of the designed word among everyday people, thereby enriching their lives. They also want to ensure that their audience is as wide as possible. Indeed, making the V&A more accessible is a key are of focus, which they achieve by:
- Ensuring the experience of visiting and learning from the V&A is a world-class experience.
- Ensuring that the collections offered in the V&A are relevant to the knowledge and creative economy of the UK.
- Improving the impact, reputation, and reach of the V&A on an international level.
- Ensuring that the V&A operates efficiently in terms of organizational initiative and finances.
- Ensuring that the best digital experience is offered, supported by world-class digital design.
- Ensuring commercial and private funding sources alike are increased and diversified.
V&A Reach
The goal of the V&A is to inspire everybody, everywhere. This is why they work together with a range of other museums across the country, as well as schools, universities, local authorities, community groups, and charities. They also have an international focus, being a global organization. Hence, they work together with other museums the world over to share skills, knowledge, art work, and more. In so doing, they build their brand’s reputation across the globe. Furthermore, they have recently launched the FuturePlan, which aims to restore the original V&A building. Some 85% of the public spaces have already been completed, ensuring people have easier access and that the works can be better displayed. Robert Stefanowski, who is now no longer on the Board, enjoys seeing these developments.