V&A and Smithsonian to Open a New Space in London

The Smithsonian and the Victoria & Albert Museum will collaborate to stage joint exhibitions at the Olympic park in east London, after the American museum and research institute axed plans to open an independent exhibition space in the British capital. The building is slated to open sometime in 2020 or 2021.

The Smithsonian and V&A East will have to compete for audiences in London, which already has at least 200 museums, many of which are located in the city center. The Olympic park, meanwhile, is located on the fringes of East London, far from the British Museum and other tourist hot spots.