Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA) Exhibits & Access

Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA) Dundee, Scotland

DCA Dundee

The Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA) in Dundee opened in 1999 in what was once the site of a derelict garage.

The initial project had the backing of the University of Dundee, the Dundee Printmakers Workshop and Dundee Council. Together they aimed to provide a creative environment for arts students in the city and a permanent arthouse cinema. It is based on the concept established by the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) in London back in 1946.

The new building was designed by Edinburgh-based Richard Murphy Architects to great acclaim.

Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA), Scotland. — The Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA) building won acclaim for its architecture

Facilities

The DCA houses several separate sections.

The Art Gallery has exhibitions of contemporary art from Scotland, Britain and overseas. It comprises two gallery spaces - Gallery 1 and Gallery 2. This summer (2022) Gallery 2 presents k.364 a film installation by Scottish artist Douglas Gordon.

Previous exhibitions have included the work of such artists as Eija-Liisa Ahtila, Fiona Banner, Johanna Basford, Simon Starling, and Mark Wallinger.

The DCA Cinema has two screens and shows a variety of art-house and mainstream movies as well as documentaries. The DCA Cinema also hosts the annual Discovery Film Festival and Dundead Horror Film Festival.

The DCA Print Studio offers workshops, short courses, drop in days, and residencies utilizing its state-of-the-art digital technology as well as more traditional equipment. It is open to students at all levels of ability. In addition there are regular workshops on other arts and crafts including calligraphy, jewelry making and photography.

The DCA Shop sells design products, homeware and stationary plus art books and magazines.

The Jute Café Bar on site serves both food and drinks throughout the day.

Goods on sale in the DCA shop. — Goods on sale in the DCA shop © DCA

Access & Hours

DCA
152 Nethergate, Dundee DD1 4DY
Tel: 01382 432444
www: dca.org.uk

Open daily; 10 am to 12 am.

Dundee Airport is 10 minutes by car from the museum.

Dundee Station is the closest railway station, just two minutes away on foot.

Dundee Station on South Union Street has trains to London King's Cross Station from Aberdeen via Edinburgh, Newcastle and York Station in York as well as more local ScotRail trains to Glasgow Queen Street in Glasgow via Perth and Stirling as well as connections south to Edinburgh Waverley Station in Edinburgh.

The following buses stop near Dundee Station, the #42, the #42A (Glenrothes), the #77, the #77A (Gauldry), the #99, #99A, the #99B, the #99C, #99D (to St Andrews), the #X7 (Perth), as well as the #X54 and #X61 services which serve Dundee city.

If you wish to stay in Dundee try the Sleeperz Hotel Dundee, with three stars and views of the V&A Dundee. Also recommended are the Malmaison Dundee and Holiday Inn Express Dundee.

Desperate Dan statue. — Desperate Dan statue

Dundee Attractions

The Dundee Science Centre, The McManus and the V&A Dundee are other excellent museums in the city. Caird Hall is the town's major concert venue with a capacity of 2,300 seats.

Dundee has a connection with comics as the publishers D. C. Thomson & Co are based in the city. The company published such former classic comics as The Dandy and The Beano. A statue of Desperate Dan and other characters from the comics, such as Minnie the Minx and Dawg the Dog can be seen in Dundee city center.