£45 million
V&A at Dundee will be funded by a mix of grants from the Scottish Government and other statutory bodies (e.g. Lottery Funds, European Funds) and by donations from private sources. The Scottish Government has already committed £15m to the project and discussions are taking place with the other funding bodies. A Campaign Board has also been recruited to aid private fundraising from individuals, trusts and companies.
Detailed questions were asked of the Kengo Kuma team prior to awarding the contract. This included questions regarding issues around the external features of the building and budgeting. The detailed answers provided by the Kengo Kuma team have been scrutinized by external assessors and were deemed to be satisfactory in terms of completing the project within budget.
The overall project, including construction costs, will be under very tight financial management. All of the partners involved in the project have experience of successfully delivering large-scale developments.
Approximately 50-60 full-time staff posts will be created in the building itself. An economic impact assessment of the project has also estimated that the V&A at Dundee will lead to around 300 further jobs in Scotland by 2019/20.
The V&A – the world's leading museum of art and design – has, as the key element of its UK strategy, entered into partnership with Dundee. V&A at Dundee will host major exhibitions of outstanding international design in a building which embodies world-class design, encapsulating the V&A's innovative attitude, confident ambition and international outlook.
Dundee requires an outstanding project to anchor its Waterfront regeneration. The partnership's development of V&A at Dundee brings into being a superlative building which will contribute to the plans for growth of the city's prosperity and symbolise its renewed confidence and identity.
The building, and the quality, scope and ambition of V&A at Dundee's exhibitions and programme will attract visitors locally, nationally and internationally, transforming perceptions of the city. V&A at Dundee will be a prime reason for tourists to choose Dundee as a preferred base for visiting Scotland, and will help attract and sustain business investment. In achieving this, V&A at Dundee will contribute to reducing disparity between the regions and demonstrate Scottish Government's belief that innovative cultural projects have a key part to play in our future wellbeing and prosperity.
The V&A is committed to a minimum 20-year agreement to provide exhibitions in Dundee. The V&A at Dundee forms part of the V&A's long-term vision and, building on the strong existing relationship, a long and successful association with Dundee is anticipated.
The exhibitions in the V&A at Dundee's main gallery will be provided by the V&A for an initial two-year period. Thereafter a combination of V&A exhibitions and those from other international design exhibition providers will ensure a rich and diverse offering of design in all its forms.
V&A at Dundee will have an innovative programme to help the development of our country's creative design culture, providing opportunities for designers, makers, business and enterprise.
Through its wider learning and outreach programmes V&A at Dundee will provide inspiring opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to learn and get involved in design creativity.
Approximately 500,000 visitors are expected in the first year, settling down to around 300,000 thereafter. Together with existing attractions such as Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA) and the McManus Galleries, the V&A at Dundee will create a critical mass of visitor attractions.
The original brief here can be downloaded here.
The Kengo Kuma proposal was deemed to be the strongest, and the one that best met the brief.
One of the key factors in the brief was to provide a 'unique' building and Kengo Kuma's stunning design undoubtedly fulfills that requirement. Kengo Kuma's proposal also satisfied the jury panel in terms of delivery and budget.
Design Dundee Ltd (DDL) is driving the V&A at Dundee project. DDL is a partnership between the V&A, the University of Dundee, the University of Abertay Dundee, Dundee City Council and Scottish Enterprise. More information here.