Dr Hunt has now written to the President of SIBMAS, and we are hoping that this is the start of a productive dialogue. The questions raised in the petition still remain. We are disappointed to see that theatre and performance, which is internationally recognised as a distinct branch of heritage, is still being treated in line with the V&A’s “materials” based approach. Until recently, the performing arts were well understood by the V&A and had their own branch museum. Now they do not even warrant a separate department, despite covering all material types and relying on specialist curators, archivists and librarians working together. We know that this is not easy in the current financial climate, but the V&A has a long standing commitment to document the UK’s rich performance culture. Which is why an urgent and wide-ranging consultation is needed. We call on the V&A to speak to theatre heritage specialists, to the theatre industry and to theatre researchers and educators. We would love to talk. 

Please note the internal consultation process at the V&A Museum has now been extended to the 23rd of April. 

Read the full statement on the SIBMAS website:

Please also visit the campaign page for further information, comments & updates. Thank you to everyone, all 18 thousand plus people who have signed this petition and have supported the Theatre & Performance Department & staff.    

Photograph by Donatella Barbieri. Object copyright for Buffoon’s wife jacket, from Chout (1921), by Mikhail Larionov © ADAGP, Paris and DACS, London 2012 . Encounters in the Archive