Art at the Start
Exploring the impact of the arts in the early years
Art at the Start is the award-winning collaborative project between our Learning team at DCA, University of Dundee and NHS Tayside.
Founded by art psychotherapist Vicky Armstrong and Professor of Psychology Dr Josephine Ross, the aim of the project was to explore the impact of engaging with the arts on infant’s well-being, development and attachment relationships. At DCA we began collaborating on the project in 2019, hosting art activities and later employing Vicky in the role of Art Therapist to part of the DCA Learning team.
We continue to work with the team at University of Dundee and in partnership with NHS Tayside Infant Mental Health team, to research and demonstrate how valuable early art making can be for babies and very young children.
Learn more about the benefits of early art making in the video below, created with families, and read more about what we offer for early years as part of Art at the Start and across DCA.
Messy Play
Our monthly Messy Play sessions give wee ones the chance to make their mark. These creative workshops are open to all families with babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers aged 0 to 3. They respond to our exhibitions, with activities designed to give little ones a chance to explore materials with an art activity, a sensory play activity and lots of ideas for things to do at home or out and about.
Upcoming sessions
Messy Play for 0-3s
Messy Play for 0-3s
Art Therapy Group
In partnership with NHS Tayside Infant Mental Health team, we run an art therapy group to support early relationships. The group takes referrals from health visitors and family nurses where more support might be needed. The group provides a safe space in which adults can tune into their baby, with support from an art therapist and an Infant Mental Health clinician.
Just having that time that was only about me and her. If we were at home, I probably wouldn't be giving her that same kind of time…there's always stuff to be doing in the house. The time here it's only about her and that's all you're thinking about... it's special.Parent
Bonding with your bump
In partnership with the NHS Infant Mental Health team, Dundee City Council and artist Louise Kirby, we created the book Hello In There Wee One. This resource for expectant families is designed support pre-birth bonding. It is currently being given out to all expecting families across Dundee at their 16-week scan and is available online in a number of different languages, including Dundee Scots.
Hello In There Wee One
Find out more
Outreach with community partners
We work with community partners to design sessions that meet their needs. This can range from a one-off taster session to outdoor art making to support social confidence or longer-term work with a focus on recognising the different ways wee ones might communicate through art.
We've worked with Dundee International Women's Centre, Coldside Postnatal Peep, Mill O’Mains Community Hub, Douglas Tots Group, Boomerang, Homestart, Breast Buddies and more.
Making art together at home
If you want to try art at home with your baby or very young child, you will find lots of ideas in the Art at the Start book. Created together with families, you can download a copy below or view online here.
It's full of tips for how to get started, useful materials, step-by-step activities and information on why making art with young children is so beneficial.
Art at the Start Book
More for 0-3s at DCA
In the cinema
We offer weekly Bring a Baby screenings for people taking care of babies under 12 months old. Take a look at what's coming up here. You can bring your buggies and prams into the cinema, we can warm up a bottle for you, and there are baby changing facilities.
Our Shorts for Tinies screenings combine short films with interactive activities which give the audience the chance to respond to what they have just enjoyed seeing on the big screen.
Workshops, events and more
We host many workshops and events throughout the year.
Our regular Family Art Labs offer relaxed time and space to get making as a family, with creative activities and techniques presented by local artists.
We work with Soundplay Projects to bring bookable sessions that allow wee ones to play, interact and make music together.
Stay and Play sessions offer baby friendly soft flooring and toys for your wee ones to explore.
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 activities inspired by our exhibitions, books in our art library for children and our Play Box, a small, safe play space for very wee ones and their grown-ups.