MORE than 27,000 people flocked to Dundee’s brand new V&A museum in its first week – nearly triple the weekly average expected in its first year.
If the numbers keep up it would mean nearly 1.5 million people visiting in its first 12 months rather than the estimated 500,000.
In total, 27,201 people visited Scotland’s first design museum and the only V&A in the world outside London between its opening last Saturday and 5pm on Friday.
The 3D Festival, a two-day event which took place in Slessor Gardens on the Dundee waterfront to celebrate the opening of the museum, also attracted huge crowds.
On the eve of the official launch, 10,000 people gathered to enjoy headliners Primal Scream and a special light and sound installation. The following day, the 3D Festival attracted 12,600 people.
“V&A Dundee officially opened its doors last Saturday and since then more than 27,000 people have explored this wonderful building and its fantastic galleries,” said director Philip Long.
“Kengo Kuma, the architect who designed V&A Dundee, wanted the museum to become a new living room for the city and it’s been a joy to watch people from Dundee and further afield make themselves at home. As well as museum visitors, we have also celebrated the opening with the 22,600 people who joined us for the 3D Festival.
“It’s been a very busy week, and I’d like to thank everybody who has helped us celebrate this historic moment and all those who came to V&A Dundee during our opening week.
“We’re very much looking forward to welcoming even more visitors to the museum.”
Last Friday, a total of 2155 people were allowed into the museum for a special “sneak peek” tour on the eve of the official opening, including school children, teachers, those who had taken part in V&A Dundee pre-opening learning projects and members of local community groups.
Two press preview days held in the lead up to the museum launch were attended by around 300 journalists, bloggers and vloggers from across
the world.
After the first 12 months it is forecast the V&A will attract around 350,000 visitors annually.
The new museum was making headlines around the world even before it opened. The influential Wall Street Journal and tourist guide Lonely Planet named Dundee as one of the top 10 hottest destinations in the world in large part thanks to the £80m building. Dundee was also named the “coolest little city in Britain” by GQ Magazine.
Inspired by the cliffs on the north-eastern coastline, the building’s heart is the Scottish design galleries which house more than 300 pieces from the 12,000 Scottish objects stored by the London V&A.
The current display includes a diamond “Valkyrie” winged tiara by Cartier – commissioned by the
late Duchess of Roxburghe, Mary Crewe-Milnes, and 15th-century illuminated manuscripts.
However, the main feature is the 45ft-long, panelled Charles Rennie Mackintosh Oak Room, which has not been seen in public for 50 years.
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