DENVER – August 11, 2026 – The Denver Art Museum (DAM) is thrilled to be the exclusive venue in the United States for DIVA, the acclaimed international exhibition from the V&A (Victoria & Albert) Museum in South Kensington, London, U.K.
Opening at DAM on Oct. 4, 2026, the exhibition explores and redefines the role of the "diva" and how this concept has been embraced and subverted over time across opera, dance, theatre, film and popular music. DIVA celebrates the power and creativity of these iconic performers, predominantly showcasing female artists as cultural megastars.
On view through Jan. 31, 2027, the exhibition will feature more than 200 objects, showcase nearly 100 divas and include nearly 60 costumes, as well as an immersive audio experience on level two of the museum’s Hamilton building in the Anschutz, Martin and McCormick galleries. The exhibition will explore how divas use fashion, performance and artistic expression to create larger-than-life personas that empower them to influence social, cultural and political change.
Tina Turner onstage performing in the Flame Dress, 1978. Designed by costume and fashion designer, Bob Mackie. Courtesy Charles Knight / Shutterstock
“To be called a diva today signals cultural relevance and influence across time, making clear that a powerful mark has been made on society through delightful performances, costume, artistry and more,” said Christoph Heinrich, Frederick and Jan Mayer Director of the Denver Art Museum. “We are honored to be the exclusive U.S. venue for this wonderful V&A show and we invite visitors, locally and beyond, to get in touch with their inner diva, explore the evolution of divas, feel empowered by their personal stories and awed by their talent.”
DIVA unfolds across two acts, tracing the origin of the term that means “goddess” in Latin, embarking on a journey across time and history to explore and celebrate the enduring influence of these remarkable figures.
Act one dives into the history of the diva, opening with the great opera voices of the 19th century such as Jenny Lind, Maria Malibran, Giuditta Pasta and Adelina Patti, among others. Themes include the origin of the diva in the opera tradition, how wealth gave women unparalleled independence and the idea of divinely talented female performers.
The legacy of the opera diva continues with a look at dazzling star quality of opera voices of the 20th century, such as Maria Callas, Marian Anderson, and Jessye Norman. Act one continues with Victorian Drama Queens such as Sarah Bernhardt, Eleonora Duse and more. Dancers and Showgirls includes fashions worn by Isadora Duncan, Carmen Miranda, and Josephine Baker, while From Stage to Screen features looks from stars such as Theda Bara, Clara Bow and Carole Lombard. Act one concludes with a look at Hollywood Divas, which explores the rise of divas as controversial figures. As female performers gained more power and visibility, the idea of the “difficult and demanding” diva was born. Featured divas of this section include Marilyn Monroe, Gloria Swanson, Mae West and more. Exclusive to Denver Art Museum’s presentation is a display dedicated to Mexican film legend, María Félix.
Where Act one of DIVA provides a backdrop on the history of the term through iconic figures, Act two encourages a discussion on how the diva has evolved, with performers embracing the term today. Act two spotlights global powerhouses such as Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand, Björk, Cher, Grace Jones, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Lil Nas X, Rihanna, RuPaul and Tina Turner.
Whitney Houston performing at Wembley Arena, London 5 May 1988. Photograph @ David Corio
Act two celebrates the modern-day diva as these stars continue to push the boundaries of artistic and personal expression, resisting and even ignoring public backlash to make a lasting influence. Opening with Run the World, this section features Beyoncé, Dolly Parton, Rihanna, Barbra Streisand and others who not only dominate the music industry, but their impact extends into the worlds of business, entertainment and philanthropy.
Joining this exploration of industry dominance is global phenomenon Taylor Swift, whose record-breaking career and business acumen redefined the modern musical landscape. Swift famously brought widespread awareness to artists' rights by re-recording her early albums to gain control of her catalogue, while her monumental Eras Tour generated massive economic waves, including a staggering $140 million impact in Denver alone. The exhibition will feature two costumes from her The Life of a Showgirl tour and her historic 2023 TIME Magazine Person of the Year cover, marking her as the first person recognized solely for achievements in the arts.
Beyoncé famously reclaimed the title for a new generation by defining a diva as "a female version of a hustla." Known for her peerless live performances and legendary vocal virtuosity, Beyoncé’s influence stretches far beyond music into movies, business and social justice activism. Through her foundation, BeyGOOD, she actively works to bring economic equity to underserved communities.
This section also highlights country music legend Dolly Parton, the self-styled “Backwoods Barbie,” whose hyperfeminine, rhinestone-bedazzled look is intrinsic to her multi-generational brand. A songwriter at heart who has written over 3,000 songs, Parton transformed her rags-to-riches story into a multi-million-dollar philanthropic legacy. Her section features two stage costumes including the dress she wore for Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party in 2022, alongside her 2016 children’s book Coat of Many Colors, celebrating her global book-gifting initiative, the Imagination Library.
“Behind-the-scenes, the story of sisterhood runs throughout the exhibition, which is both subtle and powerful. Throughout the years, female performers have stood together and raised one another up. Collectively, through invincible female vitality they have improved the lives of women around the world. They are our champions,” stated Jill D’Alessandro, Director of the Avenir Institute of Textile Arts and Fashion and organizing curator at DAM for DIVA.
I Want to Break Free explores pushing the boundaries of gender identity and traditional beauty standards through stars such as Grace Jones, Janelle Monae, Lil Nas X and Prince, as well as Annie Lennox, Lizzo and P!nk.
R.E.S.P.E.C.T underscores the theme of activism and how figures such as Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Eartha Kitt and Nina Simone used their voices as divas to perpetuate and advocate for political change. Franklin’s song ‘Respect’ has become the ultimate anthem for social change. A global hit on release, it became an unofficial anthem of the Black freedom struggle and Feminism.
The pressures of stardom are explored in the section By Myself as stars navigate their public vs. private persona, with artists such as Adele in conversation with Tina Turner and Amy Winehouse, while Express Yourself explores artistic reinvention and presentation, featuring such figures as Billie Eilish, Björk and Lady Gaga.
Through hundreds of objects, dozens of costumes and almost 100 performers, DIVA invites visitors to indulge in the atmosphere of prolific women and figures that have defined culture. Visitors are encouraged to explore how divas have used costumes to inspire, awe and delight, entertain and demand visibility in a world that does not always acknowledge the fullness of their humanity.
The diva’s use of fashion to create larger-than-life personas is explored through show-stopping designs, including Tamara Karsavina as Salomé in La Tragédie de Salomé, performed by Serge Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes (1913); a stage ensemble worn by Maria Callas (1952); the fringed black dress worn by Marilyn Monroe as Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk in Some Like it Hot (1959); and a duo of Met Gala looks worn by Rihanna, including the 2018 pope-inspired look by John Galliano for Maison Margiela.
The exhibition concludes with a spotlight on Cher with elaborate stage costumes designed by legendary costume and fashion designer Bob Mackie, highlighting both artists, their longstanding collaborations, and Mackie’s contribution to the contemporary concept of the diva. Interpretive Specialist Holly Harmon and the DIVA curatorial team have created opportunities for visitors to engage with the exhibition, including a personality quiz developed for the exhibition that matches them with a diva featured in the show. Visitors can also celebrate their divas through writing or drawing about their favorite performers and the special divas in their own lives.
DIVA is created by the V&A - touring the world. The Denver Art Museum presentation is made possible by premier sponsors Joy and Chris Dinsdale. Generous funding also comes from the Avenir Foundation Endowment. Presenting support is provided by Jana and Fred Bartlit and Bridget and John Grier, with additional funds from Kathie and Keith Finger, Jen and Alex Hardie, Sheila O'Brien, Tina Walls, U.S. Bank, UOVO: Art, Fashion, Wine, the donors to the Annual Fund Leadership Campaign and the residents who support the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). Promotional support is provided by CBS Colorado.
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