Dundee Contemporary Arts first opened its doors to the public on 19 March 1999.

Since then DCA has confirmed its position as an exemplar of bold civic cultural ambition, leading in the breadth and depth of its programming. It has received plaudits from many different directions - from critical reviews of its programme, through to achieving a high profile in international tourist guides, to successfully evidencing significant leverage in the economic regeneration of the city of Dundee.

Many people, from leading national politicians to people on the streets of the city, speak of ‘the DCA effect’ and many others from across the UK and beyond seek to emulate this success.

A specially devised programme of events marks DCA’s tenth birthday. Full details can be found at the end of this release.

A few headline facts and figures;

• 7 artists exhibiting in DCA galleries have been subsequently nominated for the Turner Prize

• Over 19,000 children from Tayside have experienced global cinema for the first time at the Discovery Film Festival

• In a city of 142,000 people, DCA has had average annual attendance figures of over 300,000

• In an economic impact study of 2003, DCA was credited for creating 258 jobs and generating over £4m for the region’s economy.

• Print works created at DCA have been bought by the UK’s leading art institutions including the Tate Gallery and the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Clive Gillman, DCA’s Director said:
The anniversary year has been a great opportunity to look back on the successes of the previous ten years and to mark the contribution of the many Directors, staff, artists and stakeholders, not least of which are the Scottish Arts Council, Dundee City Council and Scottish Screen, who have contributed to our success. However, as an organisation which thrives on the cutting edge of contemporary culture, we are constantly looking forward. This year DCA curates Scotland’s representation at the Venice Biennale and continues to lead the way in creating opportunities for engagement with visual art, international cinema and the creative process.

Dundee City Council Convenor, Richard McCready said:
Dundee Contemporary Arts is one of Dundee's most successful projects to date and the city council played the leading role in its creation. DCA was part of Dundee City Council's efforts to put the heart back into the city. It is a symbol of the on-going regeneration of the city.
Its reputation is second to none and I am confident that this will continue for many more years to come.

Jim Tough, Chief Executive of the Scottish Arts Council said:
The Scottish Arts Council invested over £5 million in the building of DCA and we are delighted have supported the centres evolution to become a much-cherished part of the cultural landscape both in Dundee and nationally. Our partnership with the DCA in curating this year's Scottish presentation at the Venice Biennale is a fitting national honour for the centre in its tenth year.

Gallery opening times
Tuesday – Saturday 10.30am - 5.30pm
Sunday Noon – 5.30pm
Closed Monday except Dundee Public Holidays
Entry to the Gallery is free

Information
01382 900 900
www.dca.org.uk
Dundee Contemporary Arts, 152 Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4DY

EXHIBITION: THE ASSOCIATES
Opening event Thursday 19 March from 7pm
Exhibition dates Friday - 20 March - Saturday 21 June

Steven Cairns, Raydale Dower, Katy Dove, Luke Fowler, Fiona Jardine, Kevin Hutcheson, Graham Little, The Lonely Piper, Lucy McKenzie, Duncan Marquiss, Alan Michael, Ellen Munro, Scott Myles, Robert Orchardson, Clare Stephenson, Stephen Sutcliffe and Andy Wake

The title of the exhibition is affectionately pinched from seminal pop group The Associates who were one of the city's greatest ever artistic statements. Billy Mackenzie and Alan Rankine burst on to the scene thirty years ago and this exhibition goes some way to celebrate their influence on modern Dundee.

SYMPOSIUM: MANUFACTURING CULTURE
Friday 20 March at 10.30am
As a cultural centre which has had such a significant effect in the regeneration of a city, DCA hosts an event which explore the question ' what is the role of the cultural centre in the 21st century?' - with a view to helping us to understand the reality of the current position, as well as the beliefs, values and systems it represents.

CIVIC RECEPTION and PHOTOCALL
Friday 20 March at noon
An opportunity for key stakeholders to meet and celebrate the birthday.
Photocall: Dundee’s Depute Lord Provost, Councillor Richard McCreadie and DCA Director Clive Gillman cut a cake created especially for DCA. Full details nearer the time.

FREE FILMS at DCA
Friday 20 March at 8.30pm

DCA took a good long look at all films of ’99 and have chosen two of the many which they think are representative of the year to show as part of our birthday celebrations: The Matrix and Seul Contre Tous

And as a birthday treat, they are completely free.
Seats can be reserved online at www.dca.org.uk or call the box office on 01382 909 900.
There’s a limit of 6 tickets per booking and they can be picked up from 7pm on the day of the screening.

The Matrix
Fri 20 March
8.30pm
Running time 2h16m / Cert 15

Seul Contre Tous
Fri 20 March
8.30pm
This film opened in the UK on the day DCA opened.
Running time 1h32m / French with English subtitles / Cert 18

OPEN DAY SATURDAY 21 MARCH
10AM-5.30PM
• free talks
• demonstrations
• events
• children’s workshops
• cinema screenings
• tours of the building
• limited edition collectable badge and other goodies only available at DCA on the day

All day
Sign up for the free prize draw to win an original artist’s print.
Sign up at reception, the draw is at 3.30pm.

How to buy art
10.30am-12.30pm

Behind the scenes in the Projection Room
11am-noon

Free workshop: Make photograms in the darkroom (ages 16+)
11am, 2pm and 4pm

Free origami workshop for children of all ages
11am-1pm

Gallery Tour; The Associates
11.30am and 3.30pm

Guided tour of the building
11.30am, 1pm and 4pm

Free Movie Kids: Top Ten Discovery Shorts
12.30pm-1.40pm

Have a peek in the Projection Room
1pm-1.30pm

Get knitting for children and grown ups
1pm-4pm
Take away a FREE i-pod cosie kit including needles and wool. First come, first served.

Free stencil workshop for anyone aged over 12 years
1.30pm-5.30pm

Q+A with DCA’s Director, chaired by Chris Smith
2pm-2.45pm

Print Studio talk and tour
2pm-3pm

The Happy Duckling: Meet the Makers
4.30pm-5.15pm

Live Music in the Café Bar
From 10pm
Brought to you by Jute: The Hazey Janes

For more information, interviews and images please contact:
Jan McTaggart, Head of Communications, Dundee Contemporary Arts
152 Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4DY
Direct: 01382 909 241
www.dca.org.uk