Dundee Contemporary Arts

Dundee Contemporary Arts is a major arts hub in Dundee city centre. Located in a much-converted garage, it opened in 1999 and offers multiple facilities: an art gallery with a thriving visual arts programme; a two-screen cinema specialising in classic and arthouse cinema (but not averse to the odd blockbuster); a print studio and a visual research centre run in cooperation with the University of Dundee. The Jute Cafe Bar offers lunch, evening and kids' menus. The DCA is situated at the heart of Dundee's cultural and social life, located a short walk from the railway station and the main shopping centre, and close to Dundee University's campus. There is a multi-storey car park next door, with cycle lockers available at the rear.

What's On @ Dundee Contemporary Arts

Coraline

6 Nov 2025 - 6 Nov 2025

After her family moves to Pink Mansions, Coraline (voiced by Fanning) quickly becomes bored with the large dusty house, and in particular with her hardworking parents (Hatcher and Hodgman). The fantasy kicks into top gear when she discovers a secret door that leads her into an alternate version of her home. A lush, visually imaginative and freshly entertaining stop-motion adaptation of Neil Gaiman's children's novel.

Exhibition on Screen: Michelangelo -- Love And Death

9 Sept 2025 - 9 Sept 2025

A fresh biography of Michelangelo, who is considered one of the greatest artists of the Renaissance. This film explores his relationship with his contemporaries and his immense artistic practice that included painting, sculpture and architecture. The documentary coincides with a glorious new exhibition at the National Gallery of London.

National Theatre Live: The Importance of Being Earnest

14 Jul 2025 - 6 Mar 2026

Three-time Olivier Award-winner Sharon D Clarke is joined by Ncuti Gatwa ( Doctor Who; Sex Education ) in this joyful reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy. While assuming the role of a dutiful guardian in the country, Jack lets loose in town under a false identity. Meanwhile, his friend Algy adopts a similar facade. Hoping to impress two eligible ladies, the gentlemen find themselves caught in a web of lies they must carefully navigate. Max Webster ( Life of Pi ) directs this hilarious story of identity, impersonation and romance, filmed live from the National Theatre in London.

National Theatre Live: Dr Strangelove

27 Jul 2025 - 27 Jul 2025

Seven-time BAFTA Award-winner Steve Coogan (Alan Partridge, The Trip) plays four roles in the world premiere stage adaptation of Stanley Kubrick’s comedy masterpiece Dr. Strangelove.   When a rogue U.S General triggers a nuclear attack, a surreal race takes place, seeing the Government and one eccentric scientist scramble to avert global destruction. This explosively funny satire is led by a world-renowned creative team including Emmy Award-winner Armando Iannucci (The Thick of It, Veep) and Olivier Award-winner Sean Foley (The Upstart Crow, The Play What I Wrote).

Photography Forum

26 Jul 2025 - 27 Sept 2025

A popular monthly meet up for Dundee's photography community, where you can compare notes and get advice from tutors. If you're a keen photographer and would like to share your work in good company, or you'd like to meet other photographers and see their photos, then come join our Photography Forum. This informal, friendly group of enthusiasts meet regularly at DCA to share their images and thoughts on all things photography, both in front and behind the lens. We'll explore all things photographic, colour or black-and-white, and provide good constructive criticism and group support led by an experienced teacher and professional photographer. We'll discuss why we make photographs and how they can be improved.

The Wild Robot

25 Jul 2025 - 9 Aug 2025

After a shipwreck, an intelligent robot called Roz is stranded on an uninhabited island. To survive the harsh environment, Roz bonds with the island's animals and cares for an orphaned baby goose.

Flow

19 Jul 2025 - 15 Nov 2025

Cat is a solitary animal, but as his home is devastated by a great flood, he finds refuge on a boat populated by various species, and will have to team up with them despite their differences. In the lonesome boat sailing through mystical overflowed landscapes, they navigate the challenges and dangers of adapting to this new world.

Elbow

7 Aug 2025 - 9 Aug 2025

Over three decades the lifelong friends that are the members of elbow have created one of the most remarkable stories in British contemporary music. Formed in Bury in the 90’s when all the members were together at sixth form college, elbow’s history now encompasses eight studio albums, a long list of awards and a place in the roll call of great British bands.

Disney

Family

Fantasy

Snow White

14 Jul 2025 - 10 Oct 2025

Live-action adaptation of the 1937 Disney animated film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Wolfwalkers

23 Aug 2025 - 23 Aug 2025

Fantasy adventure about a pagan tribe blessed with the ability to transform in to wolves by night.

A Minecraft Movie

14 Jul 2025 - 31 Aug 2025

A mysterious portal pulls four misfits into the Overworld, a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home, they'll have to master the terrain while embarking on a magical quest with an unexpected crafter named Steve.

Masterclass: Stone Lithography

15 Aug 2025 - 15 Aug 2025

Spend three days in DCA Print Studio exploring the art of stone lithography. Developed in the late 18th Century, stone lithography is a traditional printmaking process where an image is drawn on and then printed from a flat slab of limestone. The process allows for a greater range of marks and tone to be captured when printing, creating detailed images with a drawn or painterly style. The process involves drawing directly onto a stone using a variety of crayons and tusche washes. The drawing is then treated, which chemically “etches” the image in the stone, and the mutual repellence of grease and water allows prints to be taken from the stone. The course will begin with an artist talk and introduction to the principles of stone lithography by artist Calum Wallis. You will then be guided through the different stages of the process to create your own stone lithograph print.

National Theatre Live: Inter Alia

4 Sept 2025 - 11 Dec 2025

Oscar-nominated Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl, Saltburn) is Jessica in the much-anticipated next play from the team behind Prima Facie. Jessica Parks is a smart Crown Court Judge at the top of her career. Behind the robe, she is a karaoke fiend, a loving wife and a supportive parent. When an event threatens to throw her life completely off balance, can she hold her family upright? Writer Suzie Miller, director Justin Martin, and composer Self Esteem, reunite following their global phenomenon Prima Facie, with this searing examination of modern motherhood and masculinity.

Babe

1 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

An orphaned pig falls under the eye of a kindly collie and begins to think he's destined for glory at the regional sheepdog trials. Obviously for kids, but there's enough skewed humour (hail the psycho mice!) for adults too.

David Attenborough: Ocean

14 Jul 2025 - 30 Oct 2025

This compelling documentary takes viewers on a breath-taking journey showing there is nowhere more vital for our survival, more full of life, wonder, or surprise, than the ocean. In the film the legendary broadcaster and filmmaker reveals how his lifetime has coincided with the great age of ocean discovery. Through spectacular sequences featuring coral reefs, kelp forests and the open ocean, Attenborough shares why a healthy ocean keeps the entire planet stable and flourishing. Stunning, immersive cinematography showcases the wonder of life under the seas and exposes the never-before-seen realities and challenges facing our ocean, from destructive fishing techniques to mass coral reef bleaching. Ultimately the story is one of optimism, with Attenborough showcasing inspirational stories from around the world to deliver his greatest message: the ocean can recover to a glory beyond anything anyone has ever seen.

Alice In Wonderland

18 Jul 2025 - 3 Aug 2025

Classic Disney version of Lewis Carroll's fantastical story.

Aquatint Etching (September

4 Sept 2025 - 4 Sept 2025

Learn how to use aquatinting techniques to create tonal prints. This three-evening course teaches you how to apply hand painted tonal marks to metal etching plates, demonstrating how to create layers of tone to illuminate your drawn etched lines. An ideal follow up class for those who have already completed Introduction to Etching, or for artists wanting to refresh their intaglio skills.

Adobe Illustrator (September

4 Sept 2025 - 4 Sept 2025

Learn how to create designs for either print or screen, using the many applications Illustrator has to offer. Used by creatives right across the art and design industries, Illustrator is one of the most adaptable and useful Adobe software tools to have in your skill set. This course will cover the different uses and applications that Illustrator can be used for. You'll learn how to setup, modify and navigate the workspace, how to use paths and tools, working with colour and text and saving and exporting your work.

Black and White Photography: Darkroom for Beginners (September

20 Sept 2025 - 20 Sept 2025

Learn how to process your black and white film, make contact sheets and explore black and white printing. Bring an exposed 35mm Ilford FP4 or HP5 film with you and our expert tutor will teach you all the stages of film development, including developing and fixing your photographic prints. You will be working in a darkroom in very low-level lighting (red safe light) and complete darkness. If you think you may find this difficult let the tutor know beforehand, most people adjust very quickly though. You should leave with some good photographs and a feeling of achievement.

Craft Sunday: Landscape Tapestry with Freya Mabel Makes

27 Jul 2025 - 27 Jul 2025

Join Freya of Freya Mabel Makes and learn how to make a mini tapestry of your favourite view. You’ll use appliquéd felt and simple hand sewing techniques to create a piece with a striking, minimalistic style. Freya will be on hand throughout the day to pass on hints, tips and share her sewing skills. Bring along an image of your favourite view/landscape and turn it into a piece of textile art to take home and hang on your wall. We’ll provide tea, coffee and sweet treats to help fuel your making throughout the afternoon. About Freya Mabel Makes: Growing up, Freya spent many family holidays in the Highlands and Islands, where she developed a strong love for Scotland. The Scottish tapestries she now makes capture the iconic places she explored when she was younger, including the Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glen Coe and the Bass Rock.

GoccoPro Screen Printing (August

19 Aug 2025 - 19 Aug 2025

Try your hands at our new GoccoPro digital screen maker. This is the new generation of equipment from the Riso company. Using similar technology to the Riso and MiScreen machines which perforates images onto a printing stencils, the GoccoPro radically reduces the need for photo emulsions, tape, separations, water and energy used in traditional screen making process. The GoccoPro will also automatically apply fine halftones to photographic images. This course is designed for individuals with previous knowledge of screen printing. You'll learn how to use the GoccoPro equipment to transfer an image onto mesh and then use that to create a screenprint.

Craft Sunday: Upcycled Fabric Baskets with Eilidh Weir

24 Aug 2025 - 24 Aug 2025

Join artist Eilidh Weir and learn how to make a practical and beautiful coiled basket from fabric, recycled materials and thread! Using simple techniques, Eilidh will guide you through the step-by-step process of creating your very own basket. Using textiles such as old clothes and sewing scraps, plus fillings like plastic bags or salvaged rope, we’ll wrap and coil these forms, stitching them together to create sturdy, useful vessels for around your home. Make a fruit bowl, a plant pot or a mat and go home with the skills to give all your old scraps a new lease of life. Feel free to bring along old garments, textiles or climbing rope, otherwise all materials will be provided. There will be plenty of tea, coffee and sweet treats to help fuel your making throughout the afternoon. About Eilidh Weir: Eilidh Weir is a multidisciplinary artist who has a keen eye on reducing waste and promoting sustainability. Her recent textile work combines these foundations with her love of composting, food growing, and supporting biodiversity.

Introduction to Adobe Lightroom (August

9 Aug 2025 - 9 Aug 2025

Learn all about Lightroom, the streamlined photo-retouching and organisational software from the makers of Photoshop. Taking Adobe's photo-specific functions and putting them into one package, Lightroom is perfect if you want to edit and adjust your images easily. In this course you'll be introduced to the Lightroom interface and its layout and functions. You'll be taken through all stages of using the software, from importing, organising and rating files to editing and adjusting photographs, exporting finished files and print and web preparation.

Hardcover Bookbinding with Suminagashi Decoration (August

6 Aug 2025 - 6 Aug 2025

Create beautiful hardcover books that you could use as a gift or keep for yourself. Learn how to construct hardcovers using board, book cloth and papers decorated in class using Suminagashi, a Japanese marbling technique. You will then combine these elements to create beautiful hardcover books that can be used as journals or scrapbooks.

Craft Sunday: Spoon Carving with Louise Forbes

14 Sept 2025 - 14 Sept 2025

Join us for a fun filled day and learn how to carve your own spoon with Angus-based designer and maker Louise Forbes. Louise will provide all the materials, tools and instructions you’ll need to bring your spoon vision to life! You’ll leave with your own unique utensil and the skills to continue this addictive craft at home. Plenty of tea, coffee, sweet treats and chat will be on hand to fuel your making. About Louise Forbes: Louise Forbes makes a range of wooden homeware. Her love of spoon carving led her to take up teaching to encourage people to get hooked on the technique. Louise makes all her products in her Dundee workshop, using sustainably sourced local wood.

Introduction to Etching (August

21 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

Learn the basics of etching over two evenings. Explore a variety of processes and leave with a small edition of prints. This class is suitable for people who want try out the basic etching process using small plates. You will learn how to prepare a metal plate for etching by filing and polishing, then applying a wax hard ground to the surface for drawing onto. A copper sulphate solution is used to etch the designs on the plate. You will spend time learning how to prepare the paper and ink up the plate to produce a small edition of prints using different colours of ink and Chine Colle.

Introduction to Digital Photography (August

30 Aug 2025 - 30 Aug 2025

Unlock the creative potential of your camera and take control of your photos. Ever wondered what all those setting on your camera mean? This two-day course will explain the benefits of taking control of these settings for yourself. You will learn how to achieve correct exposure, improve your colours, different aperture and shutter speed settings and how they affect your images, and how to compensate for different lighting conditions in a creative way to achieve improved results. The course will take place over two days and will allow you to learn all of these things at a comfortable pace through a combination of lessons, discussions and practical exercises in the comfort of the DCA, and also out and about in the real world for continued learning and to put your new skills into practice. Regardless of whether your camera is a DSLR, Mirrorless, or Compact, as long as it has the capability to use manual settings it will be suitable for this course. Please note: If your camera does not have the ability to manually change exposure settings (aperture/shutter speed/ ISO), then it will not be suitable.

Introduction to Laser Cutting (July

19 Jul 2025 - 19 Jul 2025

Join us for a one-day introduction to our laser cutter. Learn how to laser-cut and engrave hand-drawn, computer-generated and photographic images onto different materials such as paper, wood and Perspex. This course is perfect for artists, designers and individuals who want to explore using CNC technology to make print matrixes.

Introduction to Letterpress (September

13 Sept 2025 - 13 Sept 2025

Explore the wonderful world of letterpress and typography in this fun class. Learn the basics of setting moveable wooden and metal type, and using Adana, Quarto and Albion presses to print your own verses. We’ll take you through all the different stages, from hand-setting type and locking into a frame for printing to how to identify problems and find suitable remedies. If you ever wanted to know how they used to print books in centuries past, then this class is for you.

Introduction to Lino Cutting (August

31 Aug 2025 - 31 Aug 2025

This one-day workshop is perfect for total beginners, catering for people who would like to learn the basic stages of lino cutting. Use specialist tools to create intricate hand-carved blocks, which are then printed on a vintage press. Learn how to make a monotone lino cut print, from using cutting tools to transfer your design onto a lino block to using oil-based inks to print with. At the end of the workshop you should have completed some lino prints to take home (or collect from the Print Studio at a later date).

Introduction to Screen Printing (August

23 Aug 2025 - 23 Aug 2025

The perfect introduction to the screen printing process. Screen printing is one of the most popular printmaking techniques in DCA Print Studio. In this one-day workshop you will learn how to create wonderfully colourful and graphic prints using hand-cut paper stencils. This class will give you the basic skills needed to move onto more advanced screen printing courses.

Introduction to Wood Engraving (August

3 Aug 2025 - 3 Aug 2025

This course offers a great introduction into the tools and techniques needed for creating prints from wood engravings. Working with an end grain practice block as well as a resin one, you’ll use traditional wood engraving tools to create your designs. From these blocks you will then create wonderful repeat patterns on Japanese papers. At the end of the class, you’ll be able to take away a small collection of repeat pattern prints, as well as the blocks which can be worked on and re-printed in the future.

Kitchen Darkroom Photography (September

6 Sept 2025 - 6 Sept 2025

In this lo-fi workshop, you'll learn how to make experimental, abstract images. Known as ‘chemigrams’, these lie somewhere between photography and painting. This process involves using light-sensitive paper, photographic chemicals and household products, including oil, masking tape, lemon juice and toothpaste. Plant based developers will be used alongside traditional darkroom chemicals to develop your images. There will also be to try making photographic prints with Vaseline and leaves/feathers.

Reduction Lino Printing (September

20 Sept 2025 - 20 Sept 2025

Explore a variety of methods to produce single and multiple colour prints. This course will cover use of tools, equipment and techniques for both reduction and multi-block printing. You'll learn how to make a lino print, from how to transfer your design onto a lino block to printing your design using oil-based inks and a Victorian relief printing press. The course will also introduce a few ideas for achieving half-tones or texture and you'll leave with a small portfolio of prints.

Japanese Woodblock Printing (September

27 Sept 2025 - 27 Sept 2025

Step back in time into the intriguing world of Japan’s Edo Period, and gain an insight into the mysteries of ‘Ukiyo-e’ woodblock prints. The course starts with an introduction into the history of Japanese woodblock printing and culture. The tutor will discuss the different materials and equipment used and show examples of both ukiyo-e prints and works using the techniques in a more contemporary way. You will learn how to prepare your woodblock and make a design for your print using a traditional brush. You will then transfer your design onto the wood and learn how to utilise the Japanese cutting tools when carving your block. Cutting down handmade Japanese paper and dampening it overnight prepares it for the exciting process of inking up your block on the second day with water-based pigments in order to create beautiful, colour woodblock prints. No press is required, but instead a baren (a hand burnishing pad) is used to burnish the paper against the surface of the inked block.

Mokulito: Japanese Wood Lithography (August

23 Aug 2025 - 23 Aug 2025

Learn how to make prints using this form of lithography developed in Japan. Mokulito is a form of lithography developed in the 1970s, which replaces the stone matrix surface with wood. The term Mokulito derives from the Japanese words ‘Moku’ meaning wood and ‘Lito’ meaning Lithography. Learn how to make prints using this wonderful process, that infuses the unique grain of the wood matrix along with hand painted marks and incisions of the artist.

Riso Printing (Beginners) (July/August

29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Learn all about the wonderful world of Risograph printing and create multilayered prints. ‘Riso’ is a fast-paced process that uses soy based inks and recycled paper. This course is perfect for using all kinds of hand drawn techniques and collage to create richly coloured multi-layered prints. You'll learn how to prepare your design by using collage, drawing, and painting in colour-separated layers. Then you'll print your design by choosing from our selection of bright colours.

Screen Printing (Intermediate) (September

3 Sept 2025 - 3 Sept 2025

Develop your skills using photographic techniques and power-assisted screen printing tables. This course covers all aspects of how to construct a screenprint using images from photo stencils. You will first be shown examples of limited edition prints that were produced in DCA Print Studio. These examples demonstrate the range of mark making and types of images that can be used in screen printing. You will also try basic drawing and block-printing techniques, which can be used in your designs. The following three weeks will include in-depth demonstrations for using the studio equipment to coat, expose, develop and print a screen. This course requires previous experience of screen printing at a beginner’s level.

Riso Printing (Beginners) (September/October

25 Sept 2025 - 25 Sept 2025

Signwriting (July

26 Jul 2025 - 26 Jul 2025

Learn traditional hand-lettering and create your own sign. Learn the basics of signwriting: from brush-handling skills to illustrative work and gold-leaf or glass gilding. This introductory course covers various brushes, paints, mahlsticks, pounce patterns and tracings, chalks, tapes, letterform layout and hand-drawing of Sans Serif, Roman and Casual Scripts. If you've been before then the tutor can help you move on to a different technique.

Soft Ground Etching with Feathers (August

2 Aug 2025 - 2 Aug 2025

Bring a feather and use it to create an edition of beautiful prints. Whether you have some knowledge of etching or you’re a complete beginner, this is lo-fi method of printmaking is fun and creates great results. You will learn how to prepare small zinc plates for the soft ground etching technique and then use it to create feather prints with a variety of deckled edged papers, inks and ‘Chine Colle’.

Watercolour Mono Printing (August

30 Aug 2025 - 30 Aug 2025

In this fun, lo-fi class you will learn how to prepare and coat a perspex plate, and make a design for your print using watercolour and brushes, and watercolour pencils. You will then transfer your design onto the dampened and prepared paper, using a printing press.

Wood Engraving (September

9 Sept 2025 - 9 Sept 2025

Learn how to work with this beautiful form of printmaking and use fine engraving tools to create detailed designs. Create images by cutting into the surface of the end grain of box, lemon or cherry wood. You'll be taken through all stages of the wood engraving process, from preparing woodblocks, and practising on starter blocks to engraving your design, selecting your paper and printing. You will finish the course with a small collection of prints, block printed in black and white, as well as the wood blocks which can be worked on and re-printed in the future. Please note that we are using end grain wood blocks therefore the prints are petite. This allows the printmaker to create small delicate pieces.

Breast Buddies Dundee

14 Jul 2025 - 11 Aug 2025

DCA is the new home of Breast Buddies Dundee. This group offers a nurturing, non-judgmental space for mums and mums-to-be to come along with their bumps and babies. Join us to socialise, meet new friends and get breastfeeding and infant feeding support. This friendly group offers a safe place to speak openly about challenges and feel supported by your peers.

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

16 Jul 2025 - 7 Aug 2025

A thoughtful and engaging manga feature for youngsters about Makoto, a girl who finds she can literally jump through time - a useful skill for correcting all those minor teenage mistakes and embarassments, but one that quickly leads to some unwanted complications. 'Part of Discovery Film Festival 2009'.

Adventure

Animation

Family

Elio

14 Jul 2025 - 2 Sept 2025

Elio, a space fanatic with an active imagination, finds himself on a cosmic misadventure where he must form new bonds with alien lifeforms, navigate a crisis of intergalactic proportions and somehow discover who he is truly meant to be.

Exhibition on Screen: Frida Kahlo

15 May 2026 - 6 Jun 2026

This highly engaging film takes us on a journey through the life of one of the most prevalent female icons: Frida Kahlo. She was a prolific self-portraitist, using the canvas as a mirror through all stages of her turbulent and, at times, tragic life. Guided with interview, commentary and Frida’s own words, Exhibition on Screen uncovers that this, however, was not a life defined by tragedy. "Seek a deeper understanding of the real Frida Kahlo..." Featuring key exhibitions and interviews with world renowned Kahlo curators, this film explores the extraordinary symbolism and themes in these personal canvases to seek a deeper understanding of the real Frida Kahlo. Using cinema to take an up-close and intimate look at her works we examine how great an artist she can be considered. Displaying a treasure trove of colour and a feast of vibrancy on screen, this personal and intimate film offers privileged access to her works and highlights the source of her feverish creativity, her resilience and her unmatched lust for life, men, women, politics and her cultural heritage. We might think we already know Frida Kahlo – the image of floral crowns, big brows and folk style clothing have made her a muse to generations – but what lies beneath the surface of this intensely passionate woman?

Exhibition on Screen: Turner & Constable

11 Nov 2025 - 19 Apr 2026

Two of Britain’s greatest painters, J.M.W. Turner and John Constable were also the greatest of rivals. Born within a year of each other, both used landscape painting to reflect the changing world around them.

Exhibition on Screen: Caravaggio

11 Nov 2025 - 4 Dec 2025

Five years in production, this is the most extensive film ever made about one of the greatest artists of all time – Caravaggio. Featuring masterpiece after masterpiece and with first-hand testimony from the artist himself on the eve of his mysterious disappearance, this beautiful new film reveals Caravaggio as never before.

Create Space July

16 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Create Space is a flexible, comfortable and imaginative space; a space in which people of all ages can see, think, make and do. Inside you'll find art materials and activities inspired by the exhibitions in DCA galleries. Come in and make your own art to display on the walls or take home with you. You can also relax on our comfy sofas with a range of children's books that relate to the themes of the exhibition. If Create Space is closed when you visit, you can find a selection of activity sheets and materials on our Art Cart which is located in the Information Space. You can check the opening times for Create Space below.

Wind, Tide & Oar

27 Jul 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

Wind, Tide & Oar is a compelling exploration of engineless sailing, shot on analogue film over three years. The film delves into the experiences of those who travel solely by harnessing the natural elements alone, following a diverse array of traditional boats and uncovering the unique rhythms and motivations of engineless navigation. Journeying through rivers, coastlines, and open seas, spanning the UK, the Netherlands, and France, Wind, Tide & Oar creates a contemplative space, addressing themes of ecology, heritage, traditional skills, and maritime history. Using a 1960s hand-wound camera, Wahl offers a poetic and intimate perspective on a millennia-old craft, upended by the invention of mechanised power. Through the film’s reveries, sailing becomes a means to explore our interaction with and responsibility to the environment. It invites deep reflection on our relationship with nature, our understanding of and commitment to sustainability, and our care for the world around us.

Drop in and Play x DARE Academy

30 Aug 2025 - 30 Aug 2025

Drop in and Play is back for August 2025! Try out a range of new games and meet the creatives behind them at this free, drop-in event in partnership with Abertay University and Ninja Kiwi. Taking place between 13:00 and 16:00 on Sat 30 August, DCA’s Meeting Room and ground floor will be filled with local game developers as they showcase their newest creations across a range of consoles and genres. Our August event will also include games from this year's DARE Academy at Abertay University. The DARE Academy games design competition enables six teams of talented students the opportunity to spend the summer developing games with support from academics and expert industry mentors. Students work together across a range of disciplines to create game prototypes - all of which will be available to play at Drop in and Play. Come along to try out a range of fun games and discover what it takes to become a game designer. Drop in and Play is a free DCA gaming event which was first held in November 2012 as part of NEoN Digital Arts Festival and Discovery Film Festival. Our August event is presented in partnership with Ninja Kiwi who have been making awesome games since 2005. Developers of the hit Bloons series of games, Ninja Kiwi are always striving to make the most enjoyable experiences for audiences across the globe from their offices in Dundee, Scotland and Auckland, New Zealand.

National Theatre Live: Hamlet

22 Jan 2026 - 15 Apr 2026

Olivier Award-winner Hiran Abeysekera (Life of Pi) is Hamlet in this fearless, contemporary take on Shakespeare’s famous tragedy. Trapped between duty and doubt, surrounded by power and privilege, young Prince Hamlet dares to ask the ultimate question – you know the one. National Theatre Deputy Artistic Director Robert Hastie (Standing at the Sky’s Edge, Operation Mincemeat) directs this sharp, stylish and darkly funny reimagining.

National Theatre Live: The Fifth Step

27 Oct 2025 - 19 Feb 2026

Olivier Award-winner Jack Lowden is joined by Emmy and BAFTA-winner Martin Freeman starring in the critically acclaimed and subversively funny new play by David Ireland. After years in the 12-step programme of Alcoholics Anonymous, James becomes a sponsor to newcomer Luka. The pair bond over black coffee, trade stories and build a fragile friendship out of their shared experiences. But as Luka approaches step five – the moment of confession – dangerous truths emerge, threatening the trust on which both of their recoveries depend. Finn den Hertog directs the provocative and entertaining production filmed live from @sohoplace on London’s West End.

National Theatre Live: Mrs Warren’s Profession

23 Oct 2025 - 15 Jan 2026

Five-time Olivier Award winner Imelda Staunton joins forces with her real-life daughter Bessie Carter for the very first time, playing mother and daughter in Bernard Shaw’s incendiary moral classic. Vivie Warren is a woman ahead of her time. Her mother, however, is a product of that old patriarchal order. Exploiting it has earned Mrs. Warren a fortune – but at what cost? Filmed live from the West End, this new production reunites Staunton with director Dominic Cooke exploring the clash between morality and independence, traditions and progress.

Dundee Print Collective 10

25 Aug 2025 - 31 Aug 2025

This exhibition showcases ten years of Dundee Print Collective (DPC), an artist-led printmaking collective whose members have been making work in DCA Print Studio since 2014. Artists featured in the exhibition will include Eddie Summerton, Delia Baillie, Jonny Lyons, Miguel Bustos, Whimsicallush and Pamela Scott, with works available to purchase from £35.

Made in DCA Print Studio Exhibition

20 Sept 2025 - 5 Oct 2025

Join us in Centrespace to browse and buy prints created by Registered Users of our Print Studio. You'll find a wide variety of print techniques and subject matter on display, including lino cuts of animals, riso prints of still lifes, screen prints of landscapes and lithograph portraits. This is a great chance to start or add to your print collection or give the gift of art, while also supporting DCA and local artists. Centrespace can be accessed via the stairs in Jute Café Bar on the Lower Ground Floor, with lift access to floor -3.

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