ANDREW BATCHELOR: Dundee’s cultural funding needs to extend beyond the V&A

The V&A Dundee receives more public investment than other museums in Dundee

Plans have been announced by the V&A Dundee to spend £2.6 million on refurbishing the interior of the building.

This is money from the UK Government committed to remodel and extend the Scottish Design Galleries, but The Courier has now revealed that the museum is also planning widespread changes across the wider interior ahead of its 10th anniversary in 2028.

Now, I want to be clear about something right away.

I think the V&A Dundee has been brilliant for Dundee.

It has helped the local economy, it has drawn in visitors who might never have considered coming here, and it has played a major role in how Dundee is viewed across the UK and beyond.

The building itself is world-class, and I’ve always defended the V&A Dundee, because it deserves defended.

But I also think it’s fair to say this: the amount of money being discussed around this building is starting to feel out of proportion, especially when the building itself is in good condition and does not appear to be in need of a major overhaul.

That’s the point I keep coming back to. This isn’t about being “anti-V&A”. It’s about priorities, and it’s about whether the scale of investment matches what people actually want from the museum.

Because when visitors criticise the V&A Dundee, most of the time they are not criticising the architecture. They are criticising the use of space and the experience.

They say it can feel minimal. That there isn’t enough content. That there isn’t enough to do.

And for a long time, even the main foyer felt like a huge open empty space. It is impressive, yes, but not always inviting or content-rich.

Their permanent output, Stories of the Building, is good, but it still doesn’t quite deliver the kind of wow factor I think many people expect when they step into a building of that scale and reputation.

And that’s not to say the museum hasn’t listened - it has.

In recent years the V&A Dundee has clearly made more effort to bring Dundee into the building.

The Dundee Tapestry is a brilliant example of that. It became a genuine cultural moment and brought in thousands of people.

The Ninewells at 50 exhibition was another - a beautiful tribute to Dundee’s leading hospital.

And now we’re looking ahead to an upcoming exhibition around Maggie’s, the remarkable cancer charity with strong ties to Dundee.

These are the kinds of exhibitions that make the museum feel more rooted in the city, and more meaningful to locals. That’s the direction I’d love to see it continue in.

So I understand why the museum is talking about change, and I understand why they want the building to feel stronger from the moment you enter.

But I’m still not convinced that what Dundee needs is millions being spent on redesigning interior spaces, when the bigger criticism has always been about what the museum offers once you’re inside.

Surely the priority should be to invest in content, storytelling, learning, hands-on design, rotating installations, interactive areas, and more reasons for people to return again and again.

You can refresh areas, improve flow, add seating, improve the entrance experience - absolutely. But it feels like there’s a danger here of spending huge amounts on the “shell” rather than the substance.

And I want to acknowledge something important. Some people have pointed out that this £2.6 million is committed specifically for this purpose.

It is capital funding tied to the V&A Dundee project, and it’s not Dundee City Council money that could simply be redirected to other projects in the city.

That’s fair. Not spending it at the V&A wouldn’t automatically make it available for places like Broughty Castle, McManus, or other attractions.

But it still tells a story. Because funding like this reflects priorities. It shows what major investment gets mobilised for, what projects are seen as headline-worthy, and what institutions have the backing and momentum to attract millions.

And when you place that alongside the reality for many other Dundee cultural venues, it’s hard not to feel the imbalance.

Because Dundee has other attractions and institutions that add enormous value to the city, but often rely on long-term fundraising, volunteers, and sheer determination to survive and grow.

Look at the Dundee Museum of Transport. It has taken years of community effort and fundraising to get to the point it’s at now. And after that long journey, it’s finally on the cusp of something transformational - the move to Maryfield, with hopes the new museum will open next year.

That is Dundee culture in its purest form: people building something meaningful through persistence and pride. It is a reminder that some of Dundee’s most important institutions don’t get handed millions - they have to fight for every step forward.

And then there are places like McManus and Broughty Castle - institutions that hold Dundee’s identity, heritage and story. They do not just attract tourists.

They remind locals who we are and where we’ve come from. They create depth. They give the city character. They deserve to be seen as strategic assets, not optional extras.

Mills Observatory is another clear example of what I mean.

In recent years it was genuinely at risk, and it ultimately required just £50,000 in support to secure operations up until 2029. That’s not a criticism of anyone - it’s simply a reminder of how small the sums can be that make a massive difference to some of Dundee’s most loved institutions.

When you compare that with £2.6 million being committed to interior changes elsewhere, it puts into perspective how cultural funding can sometimes be targeted - and how uneven that can feel across the city.

And that is ultimately what this is about.

Because Dundee is not a one-building city.

The V&A Dundee has been the main character in Dundee’s modern story, and that’s not a criticism - it’s a reflection of how powerful its impact has been. But Dundee works best as an ensemble, not a solo act.

The V&A should absolutely be a star of the waterfront. But it shouldn’t feel like it is carrying the whole identity of Dundee alone.

Dundee’s strength is the full cast: the museums, the galleries, the historic sites, the venues, and the attractions that collectively make Dundee, Dundee.

So my hope is that this refurbishment conversation becomes a wider conversation about balance - about protecting the full cultural ecosystem of the city, not just upgrading the most visible building.

Because Dundee doesn’t need millions spent just to impress visitors the moment they walk through one door.

Dundee needs investment that strengthens the full experience of the city, protects the places that give it depth, and supports the attractions that have had to fight year after year just to keep their future secure.