Former Director's Letter Alleges Systemic Racism at V&A Museum
A letter from Yuko Kikuchi, who previously led academic programs at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), has reignited discussions about racial discrimination within the institution. Addressed to director Tristram Hunt in January, Kikuchi asserts that she left her position after nearly two years due to systemic racism and microaggressions. Having joined the V&A in 2023 as the sole non-white senior staff member, she encountered pushback against her initiatives aimed at expanding historical narratives. Notable issues included delays in decolonization efforts and reluctance to use the term "decolonial." The letter features endorsements from scholars and accounts from students about discrimination. Although the V&A has previously faced scrutiny and initiated inclusion training, Kikuchi maintains these efforts were inadequate, citing mental health concerns as factors in her resignation.
Key facts
- Yuko Kikuchi, former head of academic programs at V&A, wrote a letter alleging systemic racism.
- The letter was sent in January to director Tristram Hunt and the research committee.
- Kikuchi joined the V&A in 2023 and resigned after nearly two years.
- She claims she was the only non-white person among senior staff in her area.
- Proposals to incorporate decolonization into the MA History of Design were postponed.
- A superior advised Kikuchi to avoid terms like 'decolonial' and 'post-colonial'.
- Student testimonies include a course on 18th-century Jamaica that privileged white perspectives.
- Discussion of restituting Maqdala objects (taken from Ethiopia in 1868) was interrupted by a lecturer.
Entities
Artists
- Yuko Kikuchi
Institutions
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Tokyo
- Japan
- Jamaica
- Ethiopia
- Maqdala
- Bristol
Sources
- Dasartes —