£5m funding boost for Dundee V&A museum

Published on Wednesday 12 January 2011 12:45

THE first stages in the building of a new V&A museum in Dundee will get under way this year after the Scottish Government pledged almost £5 million to the project.

• The winning design for the waterfront structure

Japanese architect Kengo Kuma will be formally appointed to head the design team behind the landmark building following the two-year funding announcement.

Meanwhile partners in the project - the Universities of Dundee and Abertay Dundee, along with Dundee City Council, Scottish Enterprise and the V&A - will begin fundraising for the cost of constructing the museum.

Culture minister Fiona Hyslop said the V&A will act as a magnet for visitors from all over the world.

Making the announcement at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design - part of the University of Dundee - Ms Hyslop said: "Alongside the city's very successful games sector, the V&A at Dundee presents quite an opportunity to grow Dundee's reputation as a centre for the creative industries sector.

"The Scottish Government is making a significant capital contribution to the project, providing a sound funding basis to which the partnership can add from other sources to enable the project to proceed.

"The international architecture competition sparked an incredible response. With an internationally-renowned architect in place, and a fantastic design, the V&A at Dundee will be an iconic building on the waterfront."

• How the interior of the museum will look

Professor Pete Downes, Principal of the University of Dundee, said the funding package would allow the project to progress at full speed.

He said: "The funding announced today will allow the project to appoint its own staff and progress rapidly in all areas including wider fundraising and development as well as working with architect Kengo Kumar and partners.

"This will complement the staffing and resources already given to the project by the partners."

Moira Gemmill, V&A director of Projects and Design, described it as a "key milestone" in the development.

She said: "This funding enables Design Dundee Limited to appoint the design team and push ahead with the detailed design of Kengo Kuma's beautiful building for the V&A at Dundee."