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A building lettered "DCA, Dundee Contemporary Arts" displays a colourful abstract mural beside its glazed entrance, a sign listing galleries, cinema and cafe bar.
Dundee

Dundee Contemporary Arts

Dundee's centre for contemporary art, with two galleries, two cinemas, a print studio and the Jute café bar on the Nethergate.

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Welcome

Dundee Contemporary Arts, known to everyone as DCA, is the city's centre for contemporary art and film, a bright, open building on the Nethergate with a painted glass front.

It is a charity, with something going on for all ages from morning to night.

Its two large galleries show contemporary art from Scotland and around the world, in three seasons of exhibitions a year, often giving artists their first major show in a British institution. Two cinema screens show new releases, independent and world cinema, and festivals such as the Discovery Film Festival. The Print Studio is a renowned open-access workshop where anyone can learn etching, screen printing or letterpress, and the shop sells prints, books and gifts. Jute, the café bar, is a good place to eat or meet.

Before you go

The galleries open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 6pm, and until 7pm on Thursdays; closed on Mondays.

The Print Studio opens Tuesday to Thursday 10am to 8.30pm, and Friday, Saturday and Monday 10am to 5.30pm. Cinema times vary with the programme.

Galleries
Tue to Sun 11:00 to 18:00; Thu to 19:00.
Print Studio
Tue to Thu 10:00 to 20:30.
Cinema
See the programme.

Opening hours

Monday
Closed
Tuesday
11am–6pm
Wednesday
11am–6pm
Thursday
11am–7pm
Friday
11am–6pm
Saturday
11am–6pm
Sunday
11am–6pm

Did you know

A single open door glows with light at the end of a completely dark corridor.
Did you know

Two years in the planning.

DCA's gallery programme is usually confirmed around two years ahead, after extensive research.

A pale gallery room holds two rows of small framed black and white prints on adjoining white walls.
Did you know

First big shows.

The galleries often give early-career artists their first major exhibition in a UK institution.

A single open door glows with light at the end of a completely dark corridor.
Did you know

A Victorian press and a laser cutter.

The Print Studio has everything from a Victorian relief press to CNC equipment and a laser cutter.

A wooden staircase descends between glass-panelled walls in a gallery interior, handrails lining both sides.
Did you know

Anyone can print.

The Print Studio is open-access: beginners can take taster sessions and courses, then become registered users.

A gallery room labelled "Editions" displays framed prints on white plan chests and a wooden easel beneath a timber ceiling.
Did you know

DCA Editions.

The print team works with exhibiting artists to make DCA Editions, prints you can buy in the shop.

Two large video screens show close-up footage of musicians playing violins in a dark gallery installation.
Did you know

An autumn film festival.

Each autumn DCA hosts the Discovery Film Festival.

Hidden Scotland

From our guide to Dundee

Dundee Contemporary Arts, DCA to everyone in the city, is a bright, glass-fronted arts centre on the Nethergate with something going on from morning until late. Its two galleries show contemporary art from Scotland and further afield, often giving artists their first big show in a British gallery. Two cinema screens show new releases alongside independent and world films. The Print Studio is open to anyone who wants to learn etching, screen printing or letterpress, and the shop is good for prints and books. Jute, the café bar, is an easy place to meet before a film.

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A wooden staircase descends past a sign reading "Douglas Gordon" toward a busy café below, visitors seated at tables.
What is on

What is new across Dundee, day by day.

New places, news and stories, as we find them.

What is on in Dundee
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Where it is

The Nethergate, Dundee.

Close byOn the Nethergate.
  1. Paintings and ceramics on display inside Gallery Q, Dundee.Gallery QA two-floor gallery on the Nethergate in Dundee, in the Queen's Hotel buildings, with Scottish painting and crafts.Under a mile1 min by road
  2. Land O'SpexLand O'SpexAn independent optician in a yellow-fronted shop on Johnston's Lane, Dundee, with designer, vintage and classic frames.Under a mile1 min by road
  3. Sandstone tenement building with green-fronted corner pub belowBird & BearA bar and restaurant on Whitehall Crescent by Slessor Gardens, with copper-topped bars, cocktails, brunch and a beer garden.Under a mile1 min by road
  4. Desperate Dan statue with Minnie the Minx figures in Dundee city squareThe Desperate Dan & Minnie the Minx StatuesBronze statues of Desperate Dan, his dog Dawg and Minnie the Minx on Dundee's High Street, home of the Dandy and the Beano.Under a mile1 min by road
  5. Wee MexicoWee MexicoA small Tex-Mex café on the Nethergate in a pink building where the game Lemmings was dreamed up, with tacos, burritos and nachos.Under a mile2 min by road
  6. Discovery Point and RRS DiscoveryDiscovery Point and RRS DiscoveryCaptain Scott's Antarctic ship of 1901, built in Dundee and berthed again at Discovery Point, with a museum of her voyages.Under a mile2 min by road
Directions
The tiered, ribbed concrete walls of a modern museum building curve toward a domed glasshouse and a ship's mast visible along the waterfront.AttractionsV&A Dundee0.4 miles
Fisher and Donaldson's pink shopfront with chocolaterie and patisserie signs.AttractionsFisher & Donaldson, Dundee0.5 miles
Five bronze penguins on the low wall outside the Steeple Church on the Nethergate, Dundee.AttractionsThe March of the Penguins0.6 miles
Gravestones and an obelisk monument among trees beside sandstone buildingsAttractionsThe Howff0.6 miles
White food trailer selling donuts, coffee and bagels outside V&A DundeeCafeHeather Street Food0.6 miles
A sandstone building carries a sign reading 'Verdant Works' on a dark green gate, seen through overhanging tree branches beside a cobbled lane.AttractionsVerdant Works0.6 miles
The bronze Oor Wullie on the wall outside the McManus, pea shooter raised.AttractionsOor Wullie Statue0.7 miles
A gothic sandstone building with pinnacled towers and a spired roof stands behind a paved forecourt, stone benches and potted plants lining the entrance steps.AttractionsThe McManus Art Gallery and Museum0.8 miles
Twin curved staircases lead to a Gothic revival building with a spired towerAttractionsMcManus0.8 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near DCA, and when each is next free.

The black timber cabin's exterior, with a chimney above the roofline and a freestanding bath standing on the decking below.Airdit
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Dundee
  • 6 miles from DCA
Free 25–27 OctGuests raise wine glasses at a long candlelit table in a stone barnGuardswell Farm
  • Sleeps 10
  • In Inchture
  • 9 miles from DCA
Check datesThe long timber-clad side of the house runs under a slate roof with solar panels, white chairs on the terrace and a clear blue sky.The Glasshouse
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Dundee
  • 12 miles from DCA
Free 19–22 OctTwo arched glazed doors in a stone wall open onto a paved patio, a rattan table with daffodils and mugs to the right.The Arches
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Dundee
  • 12 miles from DCA
Free 30 Oct – 1 NovPlaces to stayEvery stay in DundeeAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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