V&A Dundee generates £304 million for the Scottish economy

New figures have been released ahead of the museum's fifth birthday

Author: Kara ConwayPublished 11th Sep 2023

The V&A Dundee has been hailed as a 'symbol of the city's ambitions' after new figures revealed it has generated £304 million for the Scottish economy to date.

Representatives from the city say the museum has had a 'considerable' impact since opening its doors almost five years ago.

The data has been released ahead of the design museum's fifth birthday on Saturday.

What else do the figures show?

Since 2018, 1.7 million people have visited the V&A Dundee - with almost half a million of those first-time visitors to the City of Discovery, which has seen a £109 million economic impact.

Data from BOP Consulting and tialt also showed the waterfront attraction has contributed to 450 jobs in Dundee.

More than 10,000 pupils, teachers and educators have engaged with the museum since its opening, through a partnership with Dundee City Council.

Meanwhile, over 2,000 learning and community events have taken place.

Dundee City Council leader Councillor John Alexander said:

"V&A Dundee has made a considerable impact since its launch five years ago for the city and Scotland. It is contributing to delivery of the council's priorities for the city and has created strong connections with local communities.

“V&A Dundee has also become a recognisable symbol of the city's ambitions and has attracted visitors as well as international attention. All of this has been achieved in the face of the challenges of the pandemic. I look forward to V&A Dundee passing many more milestones in the future.”

Director of V&A Dundee Leonie Bell

Leonie Bell, Director of V&A Dundee, said:

“Since opening, V&A Dundee has emerged as an important new voice for design and a gathering place for visitors from near and far, contributing to Dundee and Scotland's creative, cultural and economic growth, despite the major challenges of the Covid pandemic.

“We’ve engaged over 1.7 million people through exhibitions, events, learning and community activities, and with the architecture and engineering of our spectacular home, designed by Kengo Kuma. What matters now is how we grow from this point as part of Dundee and Scotland’s creative community, continuing to learn, listen and improve. We are already making more use of the museum’s architecture and plaza, creating a museum for everyone that is full of activity and energy, a place to find joy, explore, reflect, play and learn.

The V&A's fifth birthday celebrations will run on Saturday 16 September from 10am to 10pm. For more information, visit: https://www.vam.ac.uk/dundee/whatson/season/we-are-5

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