What is the David Bowie Centre?
The David Bowie Centre at V&A East Storehouse is the new permanent home for David Bowie’s archive. The space will host everything from guest-curated small displays to unrealised projects.
The David Bowie Centre is a working archive with new reading and study rooms. The archive contains over 80,000 items, including 414 costumes and accessories, nearly 150 musical instruments and other sound equipment, 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.
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, a film showcasing performances from Bowie’s career, and an installation tracing his impact on popular culture.
The inaugural display 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.
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.
I want to visit the David Bowie Centre, do I need to book a ticket?
Yes. Book your free tickets to the David Bowie Centre online. We strongly recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment. It is unlikely you will gain entry without a pre-booked ticket.
If you are visiting during peak times, there may be a queue.
There is no separate queue for V&A Members.
Why is the David Bowie Centre ticketed?
The David Bowie Centre is an intimate working archive, featuring small, curated displays. Ticketing procedures allow us to manage the space in line with capacity to ensure an enjoyable visit for all.
I'm a Member, do I need to book a ticket?
Yes, you need to book a ticket. Members have an allocation of tickets available for priority booking in each ticket release. Make sure your Membership details are up to date. Email membership@vam.ac.uk to confirm your email address and sign up for Membership updates.
The current Members' ticket release is valid for entry between 26 October 2025 and 1 February 2026.
Should I book a ticket for my child?
Any child above the age of two requires a ticket.
Babies who are being carried, worn or are in a pram do not need a ticket.
Do I need a ticket to visit Storehouse?
No, you don't need a ticket to visit Storehouse, only for the David Bowie Centre. If you arrive at Storehouse without a ticket for the David Bowie Centre, you can still enjoy a visit to the rest of Storehouse.
I can't find my e-tickets. What do I do?
Your e-tickets are sent directly to the email you submitted when you bought the tickets. Search for ‘V&A Ticket Confirmation’ in your inbox. If you can’t find the email, check your junk email folder.
Still can’t find your tickets? Don’t worry, we can look you up on the system when you arrive.
Tickets are sold out online. When will more be available?
Sign up for ticket alerts to find out when the next allocation of tickets will go on sale.
Our next ticket release is from 10am on 22 October 2025 for entry between 26 October 2025 and 1 February 2026.
How do I see things that aren’t on display?
Bookings to see 3D items from the David Bowie archive, including costumes, musical instruments, models, props and scenery, can be made through the V&A’s seven-day-a-week Order an Object service. Visitors can book up to five items per visit at a time that suits them. Bookings require at least two weeks’ notice and David Bowie Archive items will begin to go live for advance booking from September.
Once the Centre opens, paper-based items including sketches, designs, writings, lyrics, press cuttings, and photographic prints, negatives and transparencies can be viewed by scheduling advance appointments with the Archives team. Paper-based items will be available to view on Thursdays and Fridays only.
Is the David Bowie Centre accessible?
Yes, Storehouse has lift access on each floor and is fully wheelchair accessible. Please be aware that there are flickering lights throughout the centre. The film in the space contains flashing lights.
Find out more about access at V&A East Storehouse.
I have more questions about V&A East Storehouse. Where should I look?
Find general information about visiting V&A East Storehouse, including opening hours, how to find us and our available facilities.