David Bowie’s creative archive will be made available to the public for the first time at the V&A East museum in London, thanks to the Bowie Estate and a £10m donation from the Blavatnik Family Foundation.

The archive, which spans 80k items, will feature handwritten lyrics, letters, sheet music, original costumes, fashion, photography, film, music videos, set designs, Bowie’s own instruments, album artwork, and awards. It also includes more intimate writings and unrealized projects, the majority of which have never been seen in public before.

It will be on display beginning in 2025 at The David Bowie Centre for the Study of Performing Arts at V&A East Storehouse in Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The gift from the Blavatnik Family Foundation, which will fund the center, will also support the ongoing conservation, research and study of the archive.

“As the stewards of David Bowie’s extraordinary music catalog, we’re delighted to expand our relationship with his estate through this partnership with the V&A,” Max Lousada, CEO of Recorded Music at Warner Music Group, said. "This archive promises to be an unparalleled display of individual artistic brilliance, invention, and transformation. Bowie’s influence only grows in stature over time, and this will be an enduring celebration of his profound legacy.”

Len Blavatnik, founder and chairman of Access Industries and the Blavatnik Family Foundation, said: “We are very proud to support the V&A and allow for the creation of this irreplaceable archive to preserve and showcase David Bowie’s iconic career. His influence on music and popular culture throughout the world cannot be overstated.”