London
The UK government has given its support to the Victoria and Albert Museum’s (V&A) proposed Spiral extension designed by architect Daniel Libeskind. Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell said last month: “We are determined to make the Spiral come to life.” The V&A is now actively fundraising for the £75 million project and it is hoped that work on the site will begin next year, to be completed in 2007. Details have just been released of how the floors within the new extension are likely to be organised. The lower ground floor will include an information centre and café, while the first floor, at street level, will sell tickets and help visitors orientate themselves. Floors two and three are for design, four for fashion, five for craft, six for photography and seven for architecture. All the works on display will be contemporary. Floor eight will be for corporate entertaining and a restaurant with views across London will be on floor nine. Last year V&A director Mark Jones told The Art Newspaper that £31 million had been raised, including £20 million from a single donor. An application will be submitted to the Arts Council Lottery Fund later this year. .