We've been nominated for Shop of the Year
Five reasons why DCA Shop has been shortlisted at the Museums + Heritage Awards 2025
We're delighted to be shortlisted for Shop of the Year at this year's Museums + Heritage Awards!
These global awards celebrate the very best in the world of museums, galleries, and cultural and heritage visitor attractions. This year’s shortlist, which includes entrants from all over the UK as well as museums and other cultural organisations in 14 other countries, have been chosen by an independent panel of nine judges. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in London on Thu 15 May - keep your fingers crossed for us!
You can see the full shortlist here and read on as we share some of the reasons why DCA Shop has been nominated...
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Showcasing prints made in DCA
Located at the heart of DCA, DCA Print Studio welcomes a thriving community of local artists who have signed up to be Registered Users, as well as visiting artists. The space is visible from Jute Café Bar but our shop is where the finished artwork is made available to buy and take home.
Browsers in store highlight our Made in DCA Print Studio collection of prints that have been created by Registered Users using a variety of processes, while our Editions Space displays a selection of limited edition prints that have been created by artists who have exhibited in our galleries. As well as providing an accessible way to buy work from critically-acclaimed artists, DCA Edition sales also help to support DCA's future programme.
Take a look below at artist Sukaina Kubba and the Print Studio team working on a pair of laser etchings.
Adding to DCA's programme
With our library of DCA Publications linking to our exhibitions, as well as carefully selected ranges of books and products that coincide with each show, we offer so many ways to explore the themes and ideas on display in DCA Galleries. You can also take a piece of each exhibition home, with posters and postcards available in store.
Links to DCA's cinema programme can also be found on our shelves, with books focused on iconic directors, film theory and more. Our collection of festival merchandise is also a big hit, with t-shirts, prints and tote bags celebrating DCA Cinema's Dundead horror film festival and specially selected products that tie-in with film seasons.
For anyone who has enjoyed a course in the Print Studio, we offer ways to keep the creativity going at home, with kits and books on different printmaking processes.
Unique products
Creating bespoke products that celebrate DCA and Dundee is something we are very passionate about. Our Dundee Made Me t-shirts are a big hit with locals and visitors alike and the 25 Years of DCA tote bags we created were perfect for marking such a big milestone in DCA's history.
Collaboration is also key and we've worked with some amazing designers. Dundee-based artist Joanna Craig created the Tay Series with us, a capsule collection of silk scarves inspired by the city's riverside views, and Pixel Dundee captured the DCA building in their distinctive style with our coaster collaboration.
Dundee Made
Championing local designers, artists and makers is very important to us and we make sure to highlight these for anyone who is browsing our shelves. In addition to our Made in DCA Print Studio branding that shares more info about the prints created in the studio by Registered Users, our Dundee Made logo makes sure you can spot products that have been made or designed in or around the city.
We've got beautiful porcelain ceramics made by local potter George Buchan, delicate jewellery made by Duncan of Jordanstone graduate Scarlett Erskine, fun local Dundee Delights created by designer Louise Kirby and so much more.
Events
As well as being open 7 days a week, we also host a programme of events throughout the year. Our Made in DCA Print Studio Exhibition takes place in Centrespace and allows Registered Users the opportunity to exhibit and sell their prints. Watch out for news of this year's exhibition coming soon - it's going to be bigger than ever.
Our Crafted Christmas Market is also a highlight of our calendar. Over the last few years, this has seen us take-over Gallery 2 and fill it with designers, makers and creatives from across Scotland. The bright, airy space provides a relaxed shopping environment and the wide selection of products means it's easy to find the perfect gifts - though you will want to keep them for yourself.
It’s a real honour to be nominated in the Shop of the Year category at the Museums + Heritage Awards. As well as supporting DCA itself through commercial activity, DCA Shop provides an important platform for local craftspeople and businesses, and also supports artists from our Print Studio through sales of their artwork. Equally, we benefit from the wonderful work they produce, and their contributions to our product range have played an important part in securing this wonderful nomination for the shop.Lewis Smith Commercial & Retail Manager
