Young V&A Seeks Designer for 2026 Residency in The Shed Studio

Young V&A is currently accepting applications for its Designer in The Shed residency program, scheduled to run from July to December 2026. The museum invites early to mid-career designers, studios, and collectives to apply for this six-month public-facing placement. The selected designer will work two days per week from The Shed, a working studio embedded within the museum's Design Gallery that functions as both a creative workspace and a living exhibit for visitors. Applicants must submit their interest by 5pm on Monday, April 27th, using the form provided on the museum's website. The residency offers a unique opportunity to develop a project inspired by Young V&A's collections across its Play, Imagine, and Design galleries, while engaging directly with children and young audiences. Young V&A, which opened in 2023 as a museum dedicated to creativity for children aged birth to 14, emphasizes accessibility and child-centered practice. The Designer in The Shed program aims to build creative confidence in young people, connect audiences with contemporary designers, and influence inclusive cultural practices. Past residents have included practitioners from diverse fields such as fashion, textiles, jewelry, set design, product design, and furniture. The Shed studio allows visitors to observe designers developing and testing ideas, making the creative process visible to families and young museum-goers.