V&A at Dundee funding boost meets mixed reception
Geraldine Kendall, 01.02.2012
£1.75m government grant causes controversy in Scottish sector
The Scottish government’s contribution of £1.75m additional revenue funding to the V&A at Dundee project has been greeted with mixed feelings by the Scottish sector.
One senior figure in the sector yesterday described the grant as “abhorrent” at a time when funding is being cut elsewhere in the sector.
Ellen McAdam, head of museums and collections at Glasgow Museums, said any investment in the sector was welcome, but added: “I understand that the museum will be populated largely by loans, many of them from Scottish museums. Scotland already has massive collections of design and Dundee has a thriving museum sector... You have to ask, does Dundee need another museum?”
Museums Association director Mark Taylor said: “I was recently talking to Scottish members in Edinburgh and, while acknowledging the commitment of the government to the Dundee project and the benefits it could bring, they thought it ironic that this was happening at the same time as many local museums in Scotland are on their knees.”
Others also questioned what impact the project might have on neighbouring attractions like RSS Discovery and the Dundee Contemporary Arts centre.
The Scottish government vigorously defended its investment in the project. In response to Taylor's comments, a spokeswoman said: “These claims are nonsense. The Scottish government is responsible for the national museums and collections and there have been fantastic major openings and exhibitions recently.
“In addition to the Scottish government's investment in the V&A at Dundee, and despite deep cuts in public finances imposed by the UK government, we are maintaining funding for local museums and galleries in 2012-13.”
The spokeswoman said the government had recently set aside more than £1m for local museums, as well as a further £1m to repair the roof of the Scottish Maritime Museum in Irvine.
The government grant has also been defended in other corners, with arts journalist Moira Jeffrey writing on Twitter: “Museums [are] victims of local government cuts and council tax freeze. The V&A [is] seen as nationwide infrastructural spend, not culture…
"It is possible to address each issue on the political specifics rather than play them off against each other.”
Announced by culture secretary Fiona Hyslop in Dundee last week, the latest grant brings the government’s total investment in the project to £18m.
Developers hope the planned outpost for London's V&A Museum will play a major role in the city’s regeneration plans.
The new building, which overlooks Dundee’s waterfront, has been designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. Construction will cost approximately £45m and the museum is due to open in 2015.
Business model
In addition to the mixed response to the government’s funding boost, questions have been raised about the business model for the V&A at Dundee, which proposes having a smaller permanent collection and giving greater space to temporary exhibitions.
McAdam said: “The emphasis is the wrong way round. It could attract thousands more to Dundee but it would need a very good permanent collection. More widespread consultation with the sector from the start might have resulted in a better model.”
Responding to these concerns, V&A at Dundee director Philip Long said: “It was never envisaged V&A at Dundee would hold large permanent collection displays drawn solely from V&A.
“The vision for the project continues to be developed and refined; this has been done in close collaboration with partners, and this process of consultation will widen throughout this year, continuing to take into account broad opinion from many sectors.”
Update
01.02.2012
The Scottish government today revealed details of its £1.1m capital investment for culture projects during the Year of Creative Scotland 2012.
The National Galleries of Scotland received a grant of £300,000 towards the maintenance and upgrade of its facilities. The funding is part of the government’s Barnett consequential allowance for 2011-12.
In addition, National Museums Scotland received £300,000 for estates maintenance from the existing 2011-12 capital budget.
Culture secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “This government is committed to ensuring Scotland’s vibrant cultural sector continues to thrive.”
One senior figure in the sector yesterday described the grant as “abhorrent” at a time when funding is being cut elsewhere in the sector.
Ellen McAdam, head of museums and collections at Glasgow Museums, said any investment in the sector was welcome, but added: “I understand that the museum will be populated largely by loans, many of them from Scottish museums. Scotland already has massive collections of design and Dundee has a thriving museum sector... You have to ask, does Dundee need another museum?”
Museums Association director Mark Taylor said: “I was recently talking to Scottish members in Edinburgh and, while acknowledging the commitment of the government to the Dundee project and the benefits it could bring, they thought it ironic that this was happening at the same time as many local museums in Scotland are on their knees.”
Others also questioned what impact the project might have on neighbouring attractions like RSS Discovery and the Dundee Contemporary Arts centre.
The Scottish government vigorously defended its investment in the project. In response to Taylor's comments, a spokeswoman said: “These claims are nonsense. The Scottish government is responsible for the national museums and collections and there have been fantastic major openings and exhibitions recently.
“In addition to the Scottish government's investment in the V&A at Dundee, and despite deep cuts in public finances imposed by the UK government, we are maintaining funding for local museums and galleries in 2012-13.”
The spokeswoman said the government had recently set aside more than £1m for local museums, as well as a further £1m to repair the roof of the Scottish Maritime Museum in Irvine.
The government grant has also been defended in other corners, with arts journalist Moira Jeffrey writing on Twitter: “Museums [are] victims of local government cuts and council tax freeze. The V&A [is] seen as nationwide infrastructural spend, not culture…
"It is possible to address each issue on the political specifics rather than play them off against each other.”
Announced by culture secretary Fiona Hyslop in Dundee last week, the latest grant brings the government’s total investment in the project to £18m.
Developers hope the planned outpost for London's V&A Museum will play a major role in the city’s regeneration plans.
The new building, which overlooks Dundee’s waterfront, has been designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. Construction will cost approximately £45m and the museum is due to open in 2015.
Business model
In addition to the mixed response to the government’s funding boost, questions have been raised about the business model for the V&A at Dundee, which proposes having a smaller permanent collection and giving greater space to temporary exhibitions.
McAdam said: “The emphasis is the wrong way round. It could attract thousands more to Dundee but it would need a very good permanent collection. More widespread consultation with the sector from the start might have resulted in a better model.”
Responding to these concerns, V&A at Dundee director Philip Long said: “It was never envisaged V&A at Dundee would hold large permanent collection displays drawn solely from V&A.
“The vision for the project continues to be developed and refined; this has been done in close collaboration with partners, and this process of consultation will widen throughout this year, continuing to take into account broad opinion from many sectors.”
Update
01.02.2012
The Scottish government today revealed details of its £1.1m capital investment for culture projects during the Year of Creative Scotland 2012.
The National Galleries of Scotland received a grant of £300,000 towards the maintenance and upgrade of its facilities. The funding is part of the government’s Barnett consequential allowance for 2011-12.
In addition, National Museums Scotland received £300,000 for estates maintenance from the existing 2011-12 capital budget.
Culture secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “This government is committed to ensuring Scotland’s vibrant cultural sector continues to thrive.”
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