£9.4m funding boost from Heritage Lottery Fund

31 January 2014

Designed by the celebrated Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, V&A at Dundee is also the flagship for Dundee's ambitious plans for its waterfront redevelopment. The HLF grant will primarily support the capital costs of the building, in particular the development of its Scottish Design Galleries dedicated to Scotland's outstanding design heritage, as well as its ambitious education work across the country.

Philip Long, Director of V&A at Dundee, highlighted the importance of having the HLF seal of approval for the project. "Today's news underlines just how far the project has come. HLF have scrutinised our proposal from top to bottom so this award is a massive vote of confidence in the project. The new institution is a partnership between the prestigious Victoria and Albert Museum, the Universities of Abertay and Dundee, Dundee City Council and Scottish Enterprise. HLF's award is the result of more than two years of work from across this creative partnership, to whom we are indebted.

“Scotland's achievement in design is world-class and centuries old. The development of V&A at Dundee will for the first time provide Scotland with a dedicated centre to celebrate that achievement, as well as a place to see and understand the design creativity of other countries and cultures. I’m especially excited by the way in which V&A at Dundee will work with communities, designers and businesses nationwide, taking inspiration from our heritage to inspire new creativity and enterprise. We are now looking forward to being on site and getting on with our pre-opening programme across the country.”

Dame Seona Reid, Deputy Chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said:

“The Heritage Lottery Fund is delighted to start 2014 with good news for Dundee and good news for Scotland. For hundreds of years Scots have made their mark in the world of international design. V&A at Dundee can now present this rich seam of talent to the world, in a stunning building which itself reflects the international cutting-edge design which will also be presented.

“We are delighted that in this, the Year of Homecoming, Dundee is one if the many cities across the UK, that will reap the long-lasting benefit of Heritage Lottery funding. Today’s decision brings HLF’s investment in Scottish museums and art galleries to over £177m. This new world-class museum is an exciting addition to the sector providing a source of education and delight for visitors, while making a transformational contribution to the cultural, social and economic regeneration of the city.”

Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, said:

"The Heritage Lottery Fund\'s announcement today is yet another vote of confidence in this excellent project and the innovative partners who are working hard to make it happen.

“I continue to be impressed with the way Dundee as a city and its people are so supportive of the power of Culture.

“V&A at Dundee will create local jobs and contribute significantly to the regeneration of the city and its waterfront, giving the city a world-class design museum and visitor attraction.”

The Secretary of State for Scotland Alistair Carmichael said:

“This is great news for Dundee and the whole of Scotland. The Heritage Lottery Fund has supported just over 36,000 projects allocating more than £5.9bn across the UK and today’s announcement further highlights the excellent work HLF are undertaking in Scotland”

“For centuries Scotland has been a pioneer in design and today we continue to be a world leader. This excellence of Scottish design is no more apparent than in Dundee which is home to a thriving academic, artistic and creative community.”

“The hard work in constructing what is sure to be the centrepiece in Dundee’s dramatic waterfront transformation is well underway. I look forward to seeing the excellence of Scottish design both past and present showcased in a world-class museum that will inspire generations to come.”

The Scottish Design Galleries will provide a dedicated home designed to tell the narrative of Scotland’s rich and varied contribution to the global design stage. The content of the Galleries is currently being developed but will range from the 17th century to the present day across all media: from furniture and fashion to architecture and game design. Leading names could include Phoebe Anna Traquair, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Edinburgh Weavers, Sir Basil Spence, Holly Fulton and Alexander McQueen.

The construction of V&A at Dundee is on schedule for a site start in the summer. It is anticipated the building will complete in late 2016, with the first full year of programming in 2017.

ENDS

For further information please contact Graeme Cleland or Susan Nickalls at the BIG Partnership, 0131 557 5252 or email firstname.secondname@bigpartnership.co.uk