S6E4: Tiny apertures of opportunity... Gus Casely-Hayford, Director, V&A East

Ahead of the opening of V&A East on 18 April 2026, Adrian Ellis speaks with its Director, Gus Casely-Hayford, about involving young people in shaping the institution, widening access, and creating the kinds of transformative opportunities that can change futures.

External references:

• V&A East: https://www.vam.ac.uk/east/
• V&A East Storehouse: https://www.vam.ac.uk/east/storehouse/visit
• Young V&A: https://www.vam.ac.uk/young/
• The Music Is Black: A British Story: https://www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/the-music-is-black-a-british-story
• Order an Object: https://www.vam.ac.uk/info/order-an-object

Gus Casely-Hayford is Director of V&A East. A curator and cultural historian, he joined the V&A in March 2020. He writes, lectures, and broadcasts widely on culture, and was previously Director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art. +

Creators and Guests

AE

Host

Adrian Ellis

Producer

AEA Consulting

AC

Writer

Alyssa Cartwright

AS

Composer

ArtWave Studio

Producer

Gregorio Lucena Scarpella

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