The David Bowie Centre at V&A East Storehouse is the new permanent home for David Bowie’s archive. This small space will host everything from guest-curated displays to unrealised projects. Although very limited walk-up tickets are available, to guarantee access it’s best to book a free ticket. (For more information on ticketing, make sure you read the visitor FAQs.)
You can also get one-on-one time with David Bowie items via the V&A’s radical access programme, Order an Object, for free. Follow this link to find out how to use the service. Please note: this does not require a ticket, but you must have an appointment booked more than two weeks in advance.
There are also a vast array of David Bowie items held in the David Bowie Archive, which can be requested via this link.
Here are five more things to know about the David Bowie Centre.
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1. There are over 90,000 items in the Archive
The David Bowie archive includes 414 costumes and accessories, nearly 150 musical instruments and other sound equipment, as well as designs, props and scenery for concerts, film and theatre. Bowie’s own desk is part of the archive alongside notebooks, diaries, lyrics, correspondence, fan mail and over 70,000 photographic prints, negatives and transparencies.
2. The David Bowie Centre is a working archive with new reading and study rooms
From September 2025, visitors can book to see Bowie’s costumes, musical instruments, models, props and scenery through the V&A’s new seven-day-a-week Order an Object service. You can also see sketches, writings, lyrics and photographs by requesting an appointment with the Archives team.
3. The Centre is also a new visitor experience
The Centre is brought to life with a series of small, curated displays. Highlights include 1970s Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane ensembles designed by Freddie Burretti and Kansai Yamamoto as well as a film showcasing performances from Bowie’s career, and an installation tracing the impact of Bowie on popular culture.
4. Nile Rodgers and The Last Dinner Party are guest curators
On opening in September, the centre will feature an exclusive guest-curated display by multiple award-winning musician, producer, songwriter and Bowie-collaborator, Nile Rodgers, and Brit-Award-winning indie rock band, The Last Dinner Party. Their selections include Bowie’s Serious Moonlight tour suit, personal correspondence between Bowie and Rodgers about the 1993 Black Tie White Noise album, plus handwritten lyrics for ‘Win’ from the 1974 album Young Americans and set lists for Bowie’s 1976 Station to Station (Isolar) tour.
5. You can get a glimpse into Bowie’s unrealised projects
Bowie’s extraordinary creative capacity included ideas for a number of projects that were never realised. The displays will show some of these, from an idea to adapt George Orwell’s 1984, to plans forYoung Americans and Diamond Dogs films. 
The David Bowie Centre opens 13 September 2025 at V&A East Storehouse. You can find out more and sign up to be the first to know about free tickets on our visit page .
Wam bam, thank you mam! 🙏
I worked with Bowie as merchandiser also founded Bowie Friends fan club official I have found the first Ed of Bowie Friends interested for your archives I can send image .
Cannot wait for this to happen. Well done V & A for recognising the importance of David Bowie.
Booked flight and hotel already months ago!
I am so excited for this!
The rhythm and fashion of my teens. How I am blessed to have witnessed his genius.
Rightful honor for DB. My flight from Germany is booked, I am so excited.
We don’t celebrate our musical greats enough. Can we have a statue of David Bowie somewhere – maybe in the Olympic park? I am sure the public and the National Lottery would contribute generously.
Dear curators,
Dear Bowie fans,
when and where can I obtain tickets for September 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd for the BOWIE department for one person? I’ll come espacially for that from a small town (Cuxhaven) in Lower Saxony, Germany. Please let me know soon if possible. Thank you very much.
ZERO GENERATION: REBELLION: PROMOTE: “DB”..”BOWIE”..ROCKS..”REBEL REBEL”..ODE/LOVE HOMAGE 2 THE 21ST CENTURY IDEALISTIC OUTSIDERS…”LUV U SOUL/DREAM BROTHER..IN “SOUND AND VISION” MAY THE ANGELS BLESS U 4 EVERMORE…ETERNAL TRAILBLAZER….ICONOCLASTIC..”ROCK ‘N’ ROLL ANIMAL”.. LUV ALL YOUR IDEAS.. AND “T I M E”.. WILL NOT CHANGE YOUR EPIC CONTIBUTIONS 2 THE ARTS AND THE HUMAN CONDITION.. UTOPIA.. AND “GOD’S CHILDREN”.. WHATEVER THEY MAY BE.. MAY THE ANGELS BLESS U ALWAYS..”DAVID BOWIE”.. U ARE THE ETERNAL PALIMPSEST.. ALWAYS A BEAT AWAY FROM OUR HEARTS LUVED BY ALL THE 21ST CENTURY IDEALISTIC OUTSIDERS…BOWIE U ARE A DOLL.. BOWIE U ARE A “STAR STAR”.. ETERNALLY/ EMOTIONALLY IN LOVE WITH LIFE’S TRAGECTORY..BOWIE U ARE A SPIRITUAL/MYSTICAL/ASTRAL SOUL/BODY OF WORK..ROCKS..SA/MXXXXXXXX2025……
To the person asking about a statue of Bowie, there is one in Aylesbury, Bucks. Search online for it, it’s brilliant!
Had job in record shop in Liverpool in my youth.
First album I ever bought was The rise and fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.
My favourite unheralded fact : Best singer BY FAR born on 8th January.
From Japan:
When I heard Bowie Centre will open I immediately decided to go.
I already bought a plane ticket.
See you in November!
As a V&A member do I still need to book a ticket to access the DB permanent exhibition?
What time on 27 August do tickets become available?
All the Young Dudes can’t wait……
How long are the time slots ? Does anyone know
Shame the website isn’t working properly and I can’t book a Member ticket
yes, put note in diary, online since 0945, pressed “book tickets” at two seconds past ten, taken straight to my own details page with no way to purchase tickets, phoned, on hold for ten minutes, phoned again, finally got through and all member preview tickets gone.
Been looking forward to this for months.
Not impressed.
Gutted! I’ve spent 4 hours holding on the phone, requesting tickets for the member’s preview on line but didn’t get anything. Finally received an answer on the phone and was told all member’s tickets have gone. I’ve been waiting for these for months. Not happy !!!
I have booked flights, and hotel to visit London. presuming that from 27 August everything would be set up ………. and ready to book tickets for the Bowie exhibition 2 years on, working on the 2nd Sept, so will be so difficult to keep clicking on for the 10 minutes, from Switzerland… if the system same as yesterday
managed last time quite easily at the main V and A , also from Switzerland —- There will be fans traveling from around the Globe for this opening , wonder if it has been underestimated …. The realms of bodies who adored Mr Bowie
keeping everything crossed for a visit over the first 2 official days …
Tickets only offered for the next 6 weeks, not very practical for people from abroad who need to book travel and accommodation longer in advance…
❤️ DAVID IS STILL ALIVE ❤️
Sooo looking forward to visit from Oslo, Norway and mingle with bowiefans from all over the world.
Bjørn Lorås
Thank you V&A curator Madeleine Haddon for that excellent YouTube interview with The Last Dinner Party. You chose magnificent items to share with them and it gave such insight into their creative process – and his creative genius!!
Hallo,
as I was unable to become member, I would kindly ask you the possibility to have 4 free tickets on 13th September for me (my birthday present) and my kids.
Thank you
Cristina Beraldo
David Bowie an icon for then, now and forever. Luv you David. XX
Tickets
Great job
Flown in from New Zealand, here in London…waiting…and waiting… me and many others going to be very disappointed if we can’t get tickets… spent thousands, and more to get here
Com’on V&A get it together.
Thanks soooo much.Looking forward to come and visit. Any chances to see DB paintings & sculptures?
I read here what I feel deeply! We booked our transport tickets and our accommodation two months ago so as not to spend an incredible amount of money to be there on September 13th.
There was no information on your website stating that we had to register online, even for free admission, to get a spot!
If we don’t get tickets, we will have wasted our money rather than booking later.
I hope we manage to get at least four tickets for September 13th or 14th!
V&A, your organization is complicated!
Thank you for your reply.
Dear V&A team,
We booked our transport tickets and accommodation two months ago in order to be present on September 13th without spending an excessive amount of money.
At the time of booking, there was no information on your website indicating that an online registration – even for free admission – was required to secure a place.
If we are unable to obtain tickets, this will mean that our early arrangements and expenses were unfortunately made in vain.
We truly hope to secure at least four tickets for either September 13th or 14th.
We kindly ask for your assistance, as the current process seems quite complicated for visitors.
Thank you very much for your reply and for your support.
Best regards,
Cannot wait! I’m going to have to visit loads of times !!!!
We´ve booked our flight from Hannover in April. We are looking so forward to it!!!
Sembra che sarà un’impresa riuscire ad avere dei biglietti. Noi siamo in quattro e già da tempo con volo e albergo prenotati.
Spero proprio di riuscire a festeggiare il mio compleanno il 13 settembre con i biglietti in mano. Partiamo da Bergamo il 12. SPEREMO BEN!!!!!
Yes I agree with a lot of the earlier comments, it does seem a complicated process and the website not very helpful.
Good job it’s not dynamic pricing.
It’s 2nd September and I’m here trying to book Bowie tickets.
Why make this so difficult?
Where is the link? Please give us a clue.
Today is 2 September and I don’t see any ‘buy ticket’ in yours web site. I booked months ago my flight from Italy and hotel and I never thought it would be so complicated to get tickets.!!! Your disorganization is truly terrifying
Agree with Nigel above.
Where is the link to book tickets / what time are they actually available from?
Waiting so long, I’ve been waiting so long…
Over from NZ, staying in Germany and waiting to get a ticket before I go back. Would be very disappointing to not make it.
Yes where are the tickets. No link yet and it’s 09.00 September 2nd
I don’t get why everyone is so stressed about tickets. I signed up for email alerts as suggested, so I’m waiting for the email notification! It doesn’t open til 10 am so maybe that’s when tickets will be available. There is going to be a ridiculously high demand for these tickets from all over the world; if you booked flights in advance but can’t get a ticket for the exhibition, that’s hardly the fault of the V&A. Maybe just be thankful that this exhibition exists …
Anyone got a link yet? It’s after 10am.
I don’t agree with Stacy.
Well past 10am now.
Kirstie, you are infuriating so many people who have registered for updates and received nothing.
We are just trying to plan ahead and beat the rush of others who have not bothered to register.
Next thing, the site will crash when you finally open the link.
I don’t have all day to look at my phone.
Is there someone there who could help you?
Anyone got a link yet ? or any more information about when tickets will be available ?
Despite signing up for ticket alert emails, and refreshing your page constantly since 8am, there is still no sign of tickets and no information as to when they might be available.
Can someone not inform us on what is going on here?
Feeling as frustrated and anxious as everyone else above. No access to tickets, no email for ticket alerts even though I signed up quite a while ago. It is 2nd September, which is when the tickets were said to be available from. Hotel is booked around work etc and we only have a 2 day window when we can come. Can someone from The V&A please advise
Now 11-20am no alerts to me. ..thought I was being dumb not to find a way to book the tickets but there isn’t a link ..and the phone line isn’t active to ask 🤷♀️..all very strange ?
On the Instagram Page ov V&A East they have announcedthat are experiencing some technical issues and they will announce there when tickets will be online.
Can you post where their Instagram post is? I can’t see it on their Instagram. ThNks
Typical British… nothing seems to work.
UPDATE – Due to a major network issue affecting the local area, the ticketing system is currently down across the V&A website. This is an ongoing issue – therefore, tickets will NOT be released today.
We will post a further update at 4pm BST today confirming when tickets will be available.
Thank you for your patience – we appreciate this is very frustrating.
( from their instagram )
In the V&A East Instagram Stories there is an update announcing that the full ticketing system is down and the tickets WON’T be available today.
They will release an update of the situation at 4PM bst today.
Many thanks for the updated information.
I note that the new date for ticketing is 4th Sept?
I’m not sure folks have read the deets but it IS explained that the exhibition is around for the foreseeable but tickets being released every 6 weeks.
As a lifelong fan my heart broke to learn of his death, he was genuinely one of a kind and you simply never knew what you were going to get, but it was superb when you did, RIP my STAR-MAN
Any idea how much time to allocate for a visit? Thanks
“…Get me out of here…”
🤬🖕
Dia-Gnosis van Culo!!!
I have met so many wonderful Bowie fans ‘family’ due to Tribute Bands, and my thank you list to Mr Jones is endless. Forever in my DNA with love. The Bowie IS exhibition was mind blowing so I can’t wait to see this one! ⚡⭐❤️🌹
I am really surprised by the number of people who booked air travel/hotels thinking they’d be able to buy tickets for a greatly anticipated event, and on the days/time they wanted them. The web site clearly stated that information would be sent by emails for those that signed up for them. And hey, the relevant details were released early in September.
Timed tickets are the only fair way for people to see the event. I live in London and I doubt I’ll get see in the next six months.
This site is terrible, I begin the queue immidiatilly and I was 30minute queue suddenly the queue become first 59 minutes and than more than an hour… Haw this is possible???? The queue increase instead of going on?
Been in the queue all morning since 10am.
Now 12:30pm.
A new note has just appeared:
Only 2 tickets per order.
I need 3.
Just perfect – great work V&A
Tried to get tickets but to no avail. Difficult to believe how poor the website is. You are the V and A. I and many others expect better.
I was on the email alert notice and saw the change of tickets Sept 4th. Being in Canada and on a different time zone was tricky but I did start the process at 2:30 am my time. It has been a long wait. I kept looking at how many more minutes till my turn but being sleep deprived I didn’t notice that below it said tickets were all gone. There’s a nights sleep I won’t get back. Disappointed as I love Bowie.
Quite shocking to read about how ridiculously stupid people can be, booking tickets based on pure speculation!
Where has people’s common sense gone?!
I am also really excited about this opportunity but please keep in mind ‚patience is a virtue ‘ which is totally down to us and not the V & A!
Anyone want to swop a Sunday 21st Sept 11.15 ticket for a Saturday 20th Sept ticket, thanks
Impossible to get tickets . The website is useless . I live in Cheshire so I wouldn’t be coming unless I know I have a ticket . People are just jumping on the bandwagon yet again ! I will wait until the fake fans and their interest has died down . Thank you V&A and the Bowie family such a fabulous opportunity to see some amazing music history . Patience is a virtue !
Excellent news a new Bowie exhibition went to the V & A in 2013 so looking forward to this new exhibition
Q: what do you do if you only want 1 ticket says minimum of 2 ?
I can’t find how to even book a ticket!
How do I do this please? Thankyou.
It’s not at all clear as far as I can see.
Sorry to moan.
A super fan for over 50 years.
I see people here asking how to get tickets……….no answers, HOW DO I GET A TICKET ? (I had to shout, sorry). I’m in London the weekend 20/21st September. Please help. I am prepared to give a sealed Bowie IS poster from 2013 for two tickets.
Yours desperately
Mick
We booked a 2-day stay in London to visit the Bowie Centre (Oct. 15th/16th); now all tickets are sold out!?
I did sign up for ticket information, but when I got the email, it was already too late…
Is there a waiting list?
Is the ticket required for the whole exhibition?
Do members need a ticket for this?
I’ve put in for email alerts, nothing….how do I get tickets if I need to?
I can’t wait to visit! I’m organising a styled shoot in 3 weeks inspired from David Bowie!
Flown from New Zealand, waited years for this moment… seen the ‘Bowie Is’ in Melbourne… that was amazing. Hope to have a great time again.
We visited the David Bowie Centre expecting there to be a lot of his items on show and all there is, is 12 cabinets of items, the rest still in boxes around the centre. The size of the place and the timescale of how long it took to put together we thought (due to the description below) that there would be a considerable number of items on show and it would be a vast exhibition, sadly not.
“1. There are over 90,000 items in the Archive
The David Bowie archive includes 414 costumes and accessories, nearly 150 musical instruments and other sound equipment, as well as designs, props and scenery for concerts, film and theatre. Bowie’s own desk is part of the archive alongside notebooks, diaries, lyrics, correspondence, fan mail and over 70,000 photographic prints, negatives and transparencies.”
Having waited over a year for the exhibition to open,I can’t say how disappointed I am. Bowie was a brilliant artist with a very long and successful career. Surely there were enough objects to fill more than one room. Having been a lifelong fan,having flown over from Spain I really was expecting something more. Definitely could have done better.