Dundee's V&A to become national centre for design
It'll see the creation of digital activities to support people with dementia and their carers - as well as helping young parents get qualifications.
The V&A is to become Scotland's so called 'centre for design'.
The Dundee museum's receiving six million pounds in Scottish Government funding over the next three years.
It'll see the creation of digital activities to support people with dementia and their carers - as well as helping young parents get qualifications.
Director Leonie Bell believes it gives them more responsibility.
"It's a shift in that we'll think really hard about what we do beyond exhibitions and learning programs and all the activity most people will know us for in the building," she said.
"The real changes will come in the partnerships that we establish which will shape the work that we do outside the building as well.
"It'll very much be about what we do and how we continually change the visitor experience and offer."
What are the key aims?
• Design for Business, working with organisations across Scotland to apply design skills to social or business challenges.
• Schools Design Challenge, working with secondary schools to empower pupils to solve problems affecting their lives.
• Sewing Box for the Future, working with the University of Dundee to address the crisis of waste in the fashion industry.
• Working with Alzheimer Scotland to deliver digital activities for people with dementia and their carers.
• Community outreach and skills development, including working with Dundee charity Front Lounge to train young parents for an SQA qualification in textiles.
Kindred Clothing project with Front Lounge charity
A unique handmade dress created by a group of young Dundee parents has gone on display at V&A Dundee
Schools Design Challenge
V&A Dundee's design jam took place in January 2020.
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “Creativity and design sit at the heart of Scottish life and play a critical role in the economy, communities and almost everything we do. Since opening in 2018, V&A Dundee has become an important part of Scotland’s cultural life and has played a unique role as Scotland’s design museum.
“This collaborative project is an exciting development for V&A Dundee as it continues on its mission to champion design by becoming Scotland’s centre for design – extending the museum’s reach and inspiring creativity and innovation.
“By developing national partnerships with organisations and businesses across Scotland, V&A Dundee will contribute to Scotland’s economic recovery by promoting the benefits and value of good design.”
The international design museum has welcomed over 1 million visitors since it first opened in September 2018 and had an economic impact of £75 million for Scotland in its first year.
Tim Allan, Chair of the Board of V&A Dundee, said: “As an incredibly young organisation V&A Dundee has already proved itself to be a major cultural and economic force, bringing world-class exhibitions to Tayside and providing a massive boost to the regional and national economy.
“V&A Dundee is a catalyst for transformation and this support enables V&A Dundee to be at the fore of Dundee and Scotland’s reopening and recovery. I am hugely excited as the museum steps into its next chapter and would like to thank the Scottish Government for its long-term support of this transformational organisation.
“This new investment reinforces our role as an advocate for the power of design to enrich lives across our nation, as well as sharing historic, contemporary and future Scottish design globally.”
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