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

20 May 2025 - 9 Jul 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

3 May 2025 - 15 May 2025

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.

MacBeth: David Tennant & Cush Jumbo

9 May 2025 - 10 May 2025

David Tennant (Doctor Who, Broadchurch) and Cush Jumbo (The Good Wife, Criminal Record) lead a stellar cast in an enthralling new production of Shakespeare’s MACBETH, filmed live at the Donmar Warehouse in London, especially for the big screen. Unsettling intimacy and brutal action combine at breakneck speed as Max Webster (Life of Pi, Henry V) directs this tragic tale of love, murder, and nature’s power of renewal. With staging full of wolfish imagination and alarming surprise, the immersive 5.1 cinema surround sound places the audience inside the minds of the Macbeths, asking are we ever really responsible for our actions?

Moana 2

3 May 2025 - 27 May 2025

Moana journeys to the far seas of Oceania after receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors. Family Film screening starts with the short film Hooba! followed by Moana 2.

Mufasa: The Lion King

1 May 2025 - 31 May 2025

Simba, having become king of the Pride Lands, is determined for his cub to follow in his paw prints while the origins of his late father Mufasa are explored. How did he arrive at this place of power? Using the latest computer-animated technology, Mufasa takes us back in time, showing us the previously-unseen story of the cub who would be king.

National Theatre Live: Dr Strangelove

1 May 2025 - 19 Jun 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

31 May 2025 - 28 Jun 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.

Dundead Horror Film Festival

7 May 2025 - 10 May 2025

Annual horror and cult film festival that brings together a mix of previews and premieres of brand new genre titles, as well as specially selected horror classics.

The Wild Robot

2 May 2025 - 25 Jul 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

1 May 2025 - 20 Jul 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

13 Jun 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

1 May 2025 - 8 Jun 2025

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

Black and White Photography: Darkroom for Beginners (June

21 Jun 2025 - 21 Jun 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. Taught by Photographer Barrie Morton

Aquatint Etching (June

3 Jun 2025 - 3 Jun 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. Class taught by artist / printmaker Bruce Shaw

Craft Sunday: Hand Printed Lampshades with Helen Ruth

18 May 2025 - 18 May 2025

Spend a relaxed afternoon with textile designer Helen Ruth and leave with your own beautiful bespoke lampshade. Create a design using leaves, plants and simple but effective printmaking techniques to decorate your lampshade. You’ll then be able to add some shiny finishing touches using Helen’s hot foil press. As always, we’ll have plenty of tea, coffee and biscuits to help fuel your making during this fun afternoon of creativity.

Craft Sunday: Mindful Collage with Concrete Nature

22 Jun 2025 - 22 Jun 2025

Join Clementine Carriere from Concrete Nature to explore collage through the lens of mindfulness. You’ll be guided through a short meditation and visualisation exercise to help you ground yourself and access creative inspiration, before creating a series of colourful patterned sheets. which you’ll use to compose playful collages. Clementine will then lead you through various creative prompts and collage techniques to help you compose some playful collages. You’ll leave with a collection of collages and a feeling of relaxation, plus the skills to continue this mindful practice at home. There will be plenty of tea, coffee and biscuits to help fuel your mindful making.

Experimental Relief Etch Printing (June

28 Jun 2025 - 28 Jun 2025

Explore lino etching, a versatile and painterly printmaking technique. You'll learn how to create gestural marks, tonal gradients and textures on lino, while combining traditional cutting techniques for a dynamic and layered approach. Experiment with various tools and methods, including caustic soda paste for etching, as well as using precision tools like the Dremel and lino carving gauges. The course will also cover key skills such as registration and multi-block printing, enabling you to create complex, multi-layered prints. Taught by Anupa Gardner

Introduction to Adobe Photoshop (May

17 May 2025 - 17 May 2025

Photoshop is made easy in this weekend course. Using our computers (or your own laptop if you prefer) you will use the most well-known photo-editing software, Adobe Photoshop, to adjust and improve your images.  You will learn how to use the programme tools, menus, and functions, to colour correct, adjust tone, clone and remove small objects, add text, understand and use layers and selections. Photoshop can also be used for drawing and painting in a digital workspace. Enjoyed the class, felt everything was covered and more. Would recommend. Highly informative. Good pace of teaching. Clear and full of insight. Thank you! Taught by photographer Barrie Morton

Introduction to Digital Photography (May

24 May 2025 - 24 May 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. Taught by Photographer Barrie Morton

Introduction to Etching (May

8 May 2025 - 8 May 2025

Learn the basics of etching aluminium 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. Taught by Artist / Printmaker Scott Hudson

Introduction to Laser Cutting (May

31 May 2025 - 31 May 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 (June

21 Jun 2025 - 21 Jun 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. Taught be artists / printmakers Marianne Wilson and Scott Hudson

Introduction to Lino Cutting (May

20 May 2025 - 20 May 2025

This two-week class is perfect for 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). Taught by artist / printmaker Liz Myhill

Introduction to Screen Printing (June

14 Jun 2025 - 14 Jun 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. Taught by artist / printmaker Aoife Cawley

Introduction to Wood Engraving (May

11 May 2025 - 11 May 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.

Japanese Brush Calligraphy (June

7 Jun 2025 - 7 Jun 2025

Gain an insight into the ancient art form of ‘Shodo’, the ‘Way of the Brush’. Experience an ink grinding meditation to centre and still the mind. Experience drawing a Zen circle, draw numerous characters using different styles of calligraphy, and explore the use of various kinds of brushes. You will learn how to hold and use a traditional brush, and how to structure a Kanji (a Chinese character). You will practise several styles of brush calligraphy, with the opportunity to use different brushes and work on different scales. Add the finishing touch to your favourite works by placing the signature in the shape of a name seal.

Kitchen Darkroom Photography (May

10 May 2025 - 10 May 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, toothpaste etc). 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. Taught by Kit Martin

Riso Printing (Beginners) (June

24 Jun 2025 - 24 Jun 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 inks. Taught by artist / printmaker Katie Ravenscraig & Scott Hudson

Screen Printing (Intermediate) (June

4 Jun 2025 - 4 Jun 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. Taught by artist / printmaker Scott Hudson & Kate Ravenscraig

Signwriting (May

17 May 2025 - 17 May 2025

Learn traditional hand-lettering and create your own sign. In this weekend course you’ll learn the basics of signwriting: from brush-handling skills to illustrative work and gold-leaf or glass gilding. This introductory class 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. Taught by Brian Robertson.

Soft Ground Etching with Feathers (May

24 May 2025 - 24 May 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’. Class taught by artist / printmaker Bruce Shaw

Wood Engraving (June

5 Jun 2025 - 5 Jun 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. Taught by Beth Robertson

Wolfwalkers

5 Jul 2025 - 6 Jul 2025

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

I Am Martin Parr

24 Jun 2025 - 9 Jul 2025

Since the 1970s, English photographer Martin Parr has held up a sometimes tender, sometimes critical and always mischievous mirror to our times, forcing us to take a hard look at how consumer society has shaped our lives. Discover the maverick behind some of the most iconic images of the past century on an intimate and exclusive road trip across England with the uncompromising Parr, whose subjects, frames and colours have revolutionised contemporary photography.

A Minecraft Movie

1 May 2025 - 8 Jun 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.

Bring a Baby: Stay and Play

7 May 2025 - 9 Jul 2025

A dedicated session to give parents and caregivers with babies and children under 3 a calm space to play and relax together while visiting Acts of Creation: On Art and Motherhood. Our Create Space will be set up with baby friendly soft flooring and toys for your wee ones to explore. Please note, this is a drop-in Stay and Play and not a workshop – if you want to make art together, take a look at our Messy Play sessions.

Caroline Walker: In Conversation

12 Jun 2025 - 12 Jun 2025

We’re delighted to welcome artist Caroline Walker, who features in Acts of Creation: On Art and Motherhood, for an in-conversation event. Beth Bate, Director of DCA, will lead a discussion on topics ranging from Walker’s work to portrayals of motherhood, caring, and the often-overlooked labour. Based in Fife, Walker’s paintings reveal the diverse social, cultural and economic experiences of women living in contemporary society. Caroline Walker was born in Dunfermline, Scotland (1982) where she now lives and works. Walker received a BA in Painting from Glasgow School of Art in 2004 and an MA in Painting from The Royal College of Art in 2009. Walker is represented in a number of major public collections, including National Galleries of Scotland, Tate, the British Museum, and The UK Government Art Collection, and has featured in solo and group shows globally, including at Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester; Stephen Friedman Gallery, London; Ingleby Gallery, Edinburgh; Kunstmuseum, The Hague; Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf; and British Art Show 9.

Hello in There Wee One Workshop

11 May 2025 - 11 May 2025

It’s never too early to start getting to know your baby! Inspired by our book Hello in There Wee One, which is being given to all parents-to-be across Dundee, this workshop for expectant parents will encourage you connect with your baby before they arrive through creative making and imagining. We’ll be drawing, making collage, printing and working with textiles, all lead by an artist and art therapist. Absolutely no art experience is necessary, just come along and explore.

In the Evening There is Feeling: Reading Acts of Creation

29 May 2025 - 29 May 2025

For this edition of our reading group, In the Evening There is Feeling, we will focus on Hettie Judah’s book Acts of Creation: On Art and Motherhood, with a particular focus on the chapter ‘The Artist As Mother’. We will send you an excerpt of the chapter once you’ve booked your ticket. If you’d like to purchase a copy of the book, it is available in DCA Shop and online here.

New Mothers as Writers

4 Jun 2025 - 4 Jun 2025

Join Catrin Kemp for a creative writing workshop connected to Acts of Creation: On Art and Motherhood. The workshop will offer the chance to spend two hours with other parents and carers of young children while looking at some of the fundamentals of putting words onto paper, using artworks from the exhibition as prompts. You do not need to have any previous writing experience, and your young children can attend with you . Catrin Kemp is an award-winning creative producer, and Founder & Director of The New Mothers’ Writing Circle, link here: https://www.newmumswriting.co.uk

Quiet Space

1 May 2025 - 13 Jul 2025

We have created a Quiet Space, next to the exhibition, where you can take the time to pause. There will be comfy seating and a calm environment for you to rest your body, take a deep breath and slow down for a little while. There will be resources on local support and community groups, as well as information on spaces and activities for parents and carers in the area.

Fox & Hare Save the Forest

7 Jun 2025 - 7 Jun 2025

Fox and Hare embark on a journey to find their friend Owl, who has gone missing.

Family Make and Take Weaving Session with Cassie Arnold

29 May 2025 - 29 May 2025

Join us for an exciting session weaving session with exhibiting artist Cassie Arnold, where the whole family can take part.

Babe

3 May 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.

Drop in and Play May

31 May 2025 - 31 May 2025

Drop in and Play is back for May 2025! Try out a range of new games and meet the creatives behind them at this free, drop-in event in partnership with Ninja Kiwi. Taking place between 13:00 and 16:00 on Sat 25 May, DCA’s Meeting Room and Ground floor will be filled with local game developers as they showcase their newest phone, desktop, console, and VR games. Be among the first to try brand new games, meet the creatives behind them, and find out more about what it takes to be a game designer.

David Attenborough: Ocean

8 May 2025 - 11 Jun 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.

Lilo & Stitch

21 May 2025 - 22 Jun 2025

This is all about being bad. It's a Disney cartoon that pits a willful toddler, Lilo (pronounced Lee-low), against a genetically engineered space creature (Stitch) programmed for maximum mischief. Thus the mawkish route beloved of Disney animators is well and truly blocked. OK, so it's a minor movie -- it doesn't have the budget or vision of a Monsters, Inc, and just because it's got water-colour backdrops doesn't make it Dumbo -- but what it does, it does with freshness and inventiveness, not to mention gags for the grown-ups.

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