Government pledges £5 million to new museum in Dundee

• The architects' vision for the museum outpost, and the site in Dundee, above, where it will be built

The funding boost, announced by culture secretary Fiona Hyslop, is the first instalment in what is expected to be a substantial financial commitment to the project by the government before the landmark building is completed in 2014.

The funding will enable the project partnership, Design Dundee, to appoint the wider design team to drive forward the scheme for the 45m outpost, being designed by award-winning Japanese architect Kengo Kuma.

Mr Kuma, whose lattice-like structure reminiscent of a ship's bow was the unanimous winner of the international competition to shape the landmark outpost, is expected to visit Dundee later this month as the project moves forward.

Ms Hyslop said yesterday that the Scottish Government's early funding commitment would act as a catalyst for transforming Mr Kuma's "truly spectacular design" into a reality.

The government is providing capital funding of 3.56m to enable the project team to complete the detailed design and planning approval processes in preparation for construction to begin in 2012. A further 1.28m will also be made available to help recruit the core team responsible for fundraising and marketing for the prestigious project.

Ms Hyslop said: "This is our first downpayment instalment for a long-term commitment to see the V&A at Dundee developed. Looking to the longer term, the Scottish Government has reaffirmed our commitment to helping realise the V&A in Dundee beyond these initial stages. Our intention remains to make a substantial capital contribution to the overall construction costs.

"The V&A at Dundee will be great for the city as well as benefiting the whole of Scotland, acting as a magnet for visitors from all over the world."

Moira Gemmill, V&A director of projects and design, said it was "fantastic moment" for the project. She said: "This funding enables Design Dundee to appoint the design team and push ahead with the detailed design of Kengo Kuma's beautiful building for the V&A at Dundee. It enables us to keep to the programme, which is to have the building ready by the end of 2014."

Graham Mckee, the project director and the director of strategic planning at Dundee University, said the partnership was hoping to secure a total of 15 million in funding from the Government, another 15 million from lottery and European development fund sources and the remainder from the private sector.