THE V&A at Dundee has raised £4 million in private donations towards its capital target of £45m, The Courier can reveal.
Individuals, trusts and foundations have pledged donations to the landmark waterfront project, which is set for completion in 2015.
Among those who have donated are WS Phillips Charitable Trust, Leng Charitable Trust, Misses Barrie Charitable Trust, Binks Trust, and Dunard Fund. Some donors have chosen to remain anonymous.
Sandy Richardson, development director of V&A at Dundee, said: “The private donations announced today mean the project is well on its way to achieving the £45m fundraising target.
“We are absolutely delighted to be able to make this announcement and are extremely grateful to those individuals and organisations who are supporting the project. It is a wonderful show of confidence in V&A at Dundee.”
The Scottish Government has already committed £15m in capital funding, and the Heritage Lottery Fund has given V&A at Dundee a first-phase pass on a bid of up to £9.2m.
Mr Richardson added that further bids to other public bodies were on track and that work was continuing in developing discussions with prospective donors.
The funding announcement comes as the project displays its latest building plans as part of a new exhibition opening today.
Outline plans for the new site alongside the latest visuals and vision for the project will be on display until Saturday, with visitors encouraged to share their views with staff.
Architect Kengo Kuma’s revised plans show V&A at Dundee moving shorewards closer to the RSS Discovery and other city attractions and into the heart of Dundee’s redeveloped central waterfront.
The plans also detail the way in which the building, created from two separate structures arching up to meet each other, will be built within two pools of water,
reinforcing the connection between the building and the River Tay.
This is the first time the amended plans will be on show to the public.
They will be on display from today until Saturday, from 10am to 4pm, at Abertay University’s Bernard King Library.
The revised planning application will be lodged with Dundee City Council later this year following the 12-week public consultation period.
Philip Long, director of V&A at Dundee, said: “We remain absolutely committed to developing an outstanding building to good time and on budget.
“Our proposal for the location of the building gives Dundee greater certainty of this, while retaining the integrity of Kengo Kuma’s design for a new institution of national importance.
“We are looking forward to sharing with the public these latest plans, and are delighted to report such good progress is being made on fundraising.”
gogston@thecourier.co.uk