Kate Bailey

Before joining the V&A in 2003, worked at Event Communications, exhibition designers on projects such as the Big Picture Show at the Imperial War Museum of the North, the International Centre for Life in Newcastle and at Leighton House Museum where she created a theatrical, immersive interpretation of Lord Leighton's Victorian home. Has over 20 years’ experience working extensively on the design and content development of new museums and exhibitions, seeking innovative and theatrical interpretative and display solutions to complex and challenging subjects. Kate is the V&A Curator of Scenography and Design and has created four exhibitions on contemporary performance design with the Society of British Theatre Designers, and in 2019 was Chair of the International Jury at the Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space. Kate is currently curating an exhibition “Alice: Down the Rabbit Hole”, opening at the V&A in June 2020 and recently curated “Opera: Passion, Power and Politics” a major touring exhibition which opened at the V&A in September 2017. The Opera exhibition, described by the Guardian as ‘a game-changing spectacular show’ was the first in the V&A’s new 1100 sq. m Sainsbury Gallery and was created in collaboration with the Royal Opera House, London. Recent V&A exhibitions include “Russian Avant Garde Theatre: War, Revolution and Design” (2014), “Glastonbury Land and Legend” (2015), “Music Hall: Sickert and the Three Graces” (2013), “Edward Gordon Craig: Space and Light” (2011) and the award winning video installation “Five Truths” (2011).