V&A Dundee welcomes one millionth visitor

Less than 18 months after it opened, V&A Dundee has welcomed its one millionth visitor.

Nalani Becker, who’s seven years old, from Belin arrived at the museum at 11.04am on Tuesday 3rd February with her dad Jan, while her mum was working at the University of Dundee.

The design museum opened in September 2018 and over 830,000 people have visited it during its first year – far exceeding the estimate of 500,000.

Nalani and Jan were surprised with a gift bag including Hello, Robot exhibition tickets, afternoon tea in Tatha Bar and Kitchen, and a voucher for £100 to spend in the museum shop.

Philip Long, Director of V&A Dundee, said: “I am thrilled that today we have welcomed our 1 millionth visitor, just over 500 days after opening the doors of Scotland’s first design museum.

“We have a hugely exciting year ahead, with the last chance to see our UK-exclusive exhibition Hello, Robot this weekend and our first major fashion exhibition Mary Quant opening in April. I would like to thank everyone who has helped to create V&A Dundee, and who continues to support its incredible success.”

Recent research revealed V&A Dundee had boosted Scotland’s economy by £75 million in its first year.

Dundee City Council leader John Alexander said: "This is another tremendous achievement for V&A Dundee and the city.

“Our stunning museum is now very firmly part of the cultural fabric of Dundee, with its design galleries and exhibition programme attracting locals and visitors alike.

“It has raised Dundee’s international profile and played a key part in securing record-breaking tourism figures. V&A Dundee is helping to create jobs and new economic opportunities for the city.”

The museum is showing Hello, Robot. Design Between Human and Machine until Sunday - it has never been shown in the UK before.

This will be followed by V&A Dundee's first major fashion exhibition, Mary Quant, from April 4 2020 and Night Fever: Designing Club Culture from October 31 this year.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “I’d like to congratulate V&A Dundee for welcoming its 1 millionth visitor, an impressive achievement and a sign of the museum’s strong appeal to visitors from around the world.

“The museum, built with the help of £38 million in Scottish Government funding, has already more than proved its cultural value, far exceeding expectations for visitor numbers and improving Scotland’s status as a prime destination for world-class cultural experiences.”

V&A Dundee was developed with support from the Scottish Government, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Dundee City Council, the UK Government, Creative Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, University of Dundee, Abertay University and many trusts, companies and private donors.

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