The V&A’s presence at Here East marks a move from exploring innovation in theory to building the physical spaces where it happens. The V&A East Storehouse has created a cultural hub where conservation, collections and public engagement sit side by side, enabling new forms of collaboration and experimentation.

Their decision to come to Here East reflects a wider ambition to work differently and connect with new communities. The campus offered the flexibility and creative ecosystem that could support this next chapter and position the V&A within the evolving story of East London as a centre for cultural production.

Here East were proud to host Conrad Shawcross’ latest monumental kinetic sculpture, The Nervous System (Umbilical), his most ambitious work to date. Displayed in Studio 10, the piece stood at an extraordinary 10 metres in height and stretched 12 metres in diameter. Its forty interlocking mechanical arms moved in a continuous, never-repeating orbit, weaving a single rope in a mesmerising sequence that felt both mechanical and organic.

The installation became a striking presence on campus, drawing visitors, collaborators and curious neighbours into its quiet, hypnotic motion. After its time at Here East, the artwork has now been shipped to MONA, the Museum of Old and New Art in Tasmania, where its journey continues on an international stage.

As SXSW London arrived in the capital for the first time, East London became the focus of global attention, and Here East helped amplify that moment. During the festival’s debut, Here East and LMA hosted the “It All Starts Here” event, giving local talent and students the opportunity to share the stage with a wider creative and cultural presence. The event captured the spirit of the area, where hyper-local creativity meets global curiosity, and where East London’s cultural identity continues to gain visibility and momentum.

Here East sits within this shift as both a contributor and a platform. Its connection to the ideas and conversations happening around SXSW reflects the campus’s broader reach, where academic institutions, startups, creators and cultural organisations engage with audiences far beyond the local community.

Today, we are not just a campus, but part of a wider historic community and innovation district on the Olympic Park. It is a collaborative ecosystem that not only includes the incredible businesses that start and scale at Here East, but partners across the park, East Bank, including the London College of Fashion, V&A East, UCL East, Sadler’s Wells East and BBC Music Studios.

As a collective, we have a shared responsibility to make East London an economic success. Here East is central to that, having contributed £700 million of GVA towards GDP by 2021. It is a figure that continues to increase today as we expand our global reach, with 6,500 people now working or studying across the campus. But ours is not only a story of economic growth. It is a story of transformative academic research, new businesses starting and scaling, and international companies choosing this part of the capital to invest in and grow in. Being a driver of that activity across the Olympic Park is incredibly exciting and a true testament to the global reach that we have built and the global impact we continue to have.

Our global impact is driven not only by our own efforts but also by the accomplishments of our tenants. This report is an annual celebration of their achievements and the various ways they contribute positively to the community. Watch our tenant spotlight films below.

The past year at Here East has been a period of remarkable progress and innovation. In both physical and virtual spaces, we've achieved significant milestones that reflect our commitment to growth and impact. From the launch of our virtual twin, to our continued efforts in education, employment, and empowerment through our partnerships and scholarship program, we have made substantial strides. Additionally, our return to SXSW in Austin, Texas, underscores our global influence, while our tenants continue to expand their footprint both at Here East and around the world.

To position ourselves for the future, we need to continue to push boundaries in new areas – not least by continuing to embrace the opportunities of emerging technologies, such as AI and the metaverse. Our ‘Future Talks’ series has explored their potential global impact on our society, the future of cities, the entertainment industry and much more, certifying Here East’s reputation as a thought leader on how the world is changing.