V&A Dundee welcomes two millionth visitor

Jenny Gaskell from Ayrshire received a gift bag after becoming the milestone visitor

The museum has been welcoming people through its doors since opening in 2018
Author: Dale EatonPublished 24th May 2024
Last updated 24th May 2024

V&A Dundee has welcomed its two millionth visitor through its doors.

Jenny Gaskell from Ayrshire became the milestone visitor when she visited the museum at 4:23pm on Thursday, 23rd May 2024, while on a trip to see her family.

To mark the occasion, she was met by museum Director Leonie Bell and Dundee City Councillor Steven Rome, convener of Fair Work, Economic Growth and Infrastructure.

They gave Jenny Gaskell a gift bag including a collection of Scottish designed products from the V&A shop, a £100 Dundee Loves Local gift card and tickets to the Kimono exhibition.

V&A Dundee opened in September 2018 and welcomed its one millionth visitor in February 2020.

As part of its fifth birthday celebrations last year, a report found the museum generated £304 million for the Scottish economy and £109 million for Dundee.

The museum is currently running the Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk exhibition. Its the last chance to see the rare objects together on the final stop of the exhibition’s international tour.

Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk at V&A Dundee

Leonie Bell, Director of V&A Dundee, said: “We are so happy to be welcoming the 2 millionth visitor to V&A Dundee. In less than six years V&A Dundee has grown to be an everyday part of its city, as well as a place for people to visit from near and far.

"We would like to thank everyone that visits and supports us, and we look forward to welcoming lots more visitors over summer.

“It’s a proud moment that the museum has reached its 2 millionth visitor given the challenges that the pandemic brought.

"We are looking forward to a very busy 2024, with our major international exhibition Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk, the free exhibition Photo City and the return of the Dundee Tapestry later this summer.”

Angus Robertson, Scottish Government Culture Secretary, said: “As Scotland’s centre for design, V&A Dundee is an important part of Scotland’s cultural life and a significant contributor to the local economy and the country as a whole so I want to congratulate everyone involved for the achievement of this major milestone.

“Now an unmistakable part of the city’s skyline, I know from my own visits that it is constantly evolving, and I would highly encourage anyone who has not already taken the time to see what V&A Dundee has to offer.”

Dundee City Council leader Councillor John Alexander said: “This is yet another significant achievement for V&A Dundee and our city.

“The museum continues to attract visitors through an imaginative programme of displays and activities.

“V&A Dundee creates positive opportunities for the people of the city and provides an important contribution to the economy.”

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