David Bowie fans across the globe will soon have an exciting reason to plan a trip to London, as a new, permanent exhibition dedicated to the iconic musician David Bowie fans across the globe will soon have an exciting reason to plan a trip to London, as a new, permanent exhibition dedicated to the iconic musician and cultural figure is set to open next year. Known as the David Bowie Centre for the Study of Performing Arts, this exhibit will be a sprawling, multi-zone homage to Bowie’s life, artistry, and enduring influence on music and pop culture. It will be held at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) East Storehouse venue in London, where some of the most iconic artifacts from Bowie’s storied career will go on display to the public, free of charge.
Though fans have a bit of a wait ahead of them, the long-anticipated debut of the David Bowie Centre will be well worth it. The first glimpse of Bowie’s archive will be available when the V&A East Storehouse venue opens on May 31, 2025, and the full Bowie Centre will open later in the year on September 13, 2025. For Bowie fans who were captivated by the V&A’s previous David Bowie exhibition in 2013, this new centre promises to be even more expansive and immersive, housing thousands of iconic objects and unique memorabilia.
The V&A’s Bowie Archive: Over 90,000 Items Spanning a Lifetime of Artistry
The David Bowie Centre will showcase items from an incredible archive of over 90,000 pieces of Bowie memorabilia, including stage costumes, musical instruments, personal journals, and much more. The journey of bringing Bowie’s world to the public began with the V&A’s acquisition of his archive in February 2023. Initially, reports suggested the collection comprised 80,000 objects, but as cataloging progressed, even more treasures were discovered, expanding the collection to its current scale.
Bowie’s extensive archive offers an intimate glimpse into his creative process and the details behind his many artistic transformations. The collection includes iconic items such as the Union Jack coat featured on the cover of his 1997 album Earthling, created in collaboration with the designer Alexander McQueen. Fans will also get to see up-close the stunning costumes from Bowie’s Aladdin Sane tour, designed by renowned Japanese designer Kansai Yamamoto. And among the most nostalgic artifacts is Bowie’s original stylophone, the pocket-sized synthesizer he used to create the haunting, futuristic tones on his 1969 hit Space Oddity.
The exhibition’s expansive nature is meant to bring fans deeper into Bowie’s creative mind and showcase how he seamlessly fused music, fashion, theater, and visual arts throughout his career. While these items are some of the most notable, the exhibit will also house more personal memorabilia, including sketches, storyboards, lyric sheets, and notes that illuminate Bowie’s creative journey from concept to finished work.
A Three-Zone Experience with Audio-Visual Exhibits and Study Spaces
The David Bowie Centre will be divided into three distinct zones, each tailored to provide a different aspect of Bowie’s life and legacy. Each area will focus on a unique aspect of Bowie’s artistry, from his iconic personas and stage presence to his broader impact on culture and identity. Among the highlights are the immersive audio-visual exhibits, featuring footage and recordings from Bowie’s performances and interviews, allowing fans to relive key moments in his career.
Visitors can also expect a deep dive into Bowie’s music through displays of his instruments, giving a close-up look at the tools that helped him shape the sound of multiple eras. For fans interested in exploring Bowie’s work on a scholarly level, the Centre will also feature quieter study areas where visitors can sit, reflect, and absorb the depth of Bowie’s impact on the performing arts. These study spaces are designed to be places for contemplation, contrasting with the more dynamic areas of the exhibition, and will likely be especially appealing to those wanting to delve into the intricacies of his craft.
Revisiting the Legacy of the 2013 “David Bowie Is” Exhibition
For those who experienced the V&A’s highly acclaimed David Bowie Is exhibition in 2013, this new centre may feel like a spiritual successor. The David Bowie Is exhibition broke records as the V&A’s fastest-selling exhibition and attracted over two million visitors during its five-year run, which spanned several cities worldwide before it closed in July 2018. Fans still recall the wonder of seeing Bowie’s stage costumes and artwork, and for many, this new exhibit will be an opportunity to experience the legend’s influence all over again on a much larger scale.
The David Bowie Is exhibition was groundbreaking in its scale and reception, but the David Bowie Centre will go beyond by establishing a permanent space dedicated to his life and work. Whereas David Bowie Is was a touring exhibit, this Centre allows the V&A to explore Bowie’s work on an ongoing basis, offering visitors the chance to return again and again to discover something new. With this permanent home, Bowie’s influence can continue to inspire future generations of musicians, artists, and fans alike.
A Legacy That Continues to Inspire
The decision to establish the David Bowie Centre stems from Bowie’s profound impact on music, fashion, and identity, which continues to resonate years after his death. Bowie passed away on January 10, 2016, just two days after releasing his final album, Blackstar. His unexpected death at the age of 69 marked the end of an era but also solidified his legacy as an artist who remained committed to his craft until his last breath. Blackstar was hailed as a haunting, beautiful farewell, resonating deeply with fans worldwide and cementing Bowie’s reputation as an artist who was always ahead of his time.
Bowie’s ability to blend multiple forms of art and transcend genres has inspired countless musicians and fans to embrace creativity without boundaries. The David Bowie Centre, then, isn’t just an exhibition space; it’s a tribute to Bowie’s enduring message that individuality and reinvention are worth celebrating. For those who admired Bowie’s fearless experimentation and unique aesthetic, this Centre will be a powerful reminder of his contributions to culture and the arts.
Mark Your Calendars: A Must-Visit Destination for Bowie Fans
As the V&A East Storehouse prepares for its opening, Bowie enthusiasts around the world are marking their calendars for September 13, 2025. The David Bowie Centre will be a free, public exhibit, offering fans of all backgrounds the chance to immerse themselves in Bowie’s world without barriers. For those who have grown up with Bowie’s music or have been impacted by his art, this exhibit is expected to be both a nostalgic journey and an inspiring experience.
With over 90,000 items chronicling the life and work of a true visionary, the David Bowie Centre promises to be a pilgrimage for fans and a testament to an artist who redefined what it means to create. The wait may be long, but for fans of the legendary “Starman,” it’s bound to be worth it.
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