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Today I was delighted to hear that the Scottish Government has eventually stated its support for the proposal to locate a branch of the Victoria and Albert Museum in Dundee. When I was the Convener of Leisure, Arts and Communities I was involved in a number of discussions on these exciting proposals.
Responding to the announcement this morning I said,
"I welcome the announcement today of support of the V & A in Dundee. I think this project can make a major contribution to the ongoing regeneration of our city.
Dundee has a well deserved reputation for excellence in arts and culture and this will add to it. I hope the V & A will work with other cultural bodies in the city, especially Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art to improve and enhance Dundee's reputation for cultural excellence.
I hope in the not too distant future that this project can provide a major boost to the construction industry and the economy of Dundee. It is a very exciting prospect to have this world famous British institution come to Dundee, it is important that everyone with Dundee's best interests at heart works together to secure this exciting development for our city."
Dundee has a well deserved reputation for excellence in arts and culture and this will add to it. I hope the V & A will work with other cultural bodies in the city, especially Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art to improve and enhance Dundee's reputation for cultural excellence.
I hope in the not too distant future that this project can provide a major boost to the construction industry and the economy of Dundee. It is a very exciting prospect to have this world famous British institution come to Dundee, it is important that everyone with Dundee's best interests at heart works together to secure this exciting development for our city."
My colleague Laurie Bidwell, Labour spokesperson on Education also welcomed the announcement. He said, 'The announcement this morning progressing the development of the V & A offshoot in Dundee will be very positive for art education in the city. This will bring national and international exhibitions to Dundee which will make these more accessible for our pupils and their teachers. This will likely to inspire more of our pupils to engage in the arts and crafts and the related creative industries. This is also very positive for Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art. This will reinforce their place as one of the top six research led Art and Design higher education institutions in the UK.'
Marlyn Glen MSP also commented on the announcement, she said, 'It is absolutely vital that everybody gets behind this fantastic project to bring the Victoria and Albert Museum to Dundee and I am pleased that the Scottish Government has finally committed funds.
The new museum has the potential to create nearly 900 jobs and bring tens of thousands of tourists to Dundee every year.
Our city the potential to become a world class cultural destination and I believe that if we get this right it will help rejuvenate Dundee in the same way that the Guggenheim did Bilbao, in the Basque country.'
The new museum has the potential to create nearly 900 jobs and bring tens of thousands of tourists to Dundee every year.
Our city the potential to become a world class cultural destination and I believe that if we get this right it will help rejuvenate Dundee in the same way that the Guggenheim did Bilbao, in the Basque country.'
Dundee West MP Jim McGovern said, 'I am very pleased that the Scottish Executive have finally given their backing to the V&A Dundee proposal.
Whilst we will need to secure significant private sector funding on top of that offered by the Scottish Executive, I believe this is a wonderful opportunity for Dundee with the potential to bring 900 jobs and 130,000 visitors a year to the city whilst earning millions of pounds for the local economy.'