Latest News
New Exhibition Inspired by the Weather Set to Open in Dundee
Whether it's blowin' a hoolie or the sun is crackin' the pavey, Scotland, its people and its language have long had an enduring relationship with our changing weather.
A Weather Eye, opening on Saturday 9 November at The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery, includes work by an extraordinary range of artists who have captured the rain, snow, cloud and even sun of Scotland, telling the story of how it affects our lives and our moods.
Our unpredictable weather is also reflected in our Scots language and dialects and each of the artworks has been matched to a Scottish word, highlighting the importance of language; Scots boasts 421 different words for snow. In this exhibition, lesser known Scots words such as gowstie, ralliach, fissle and feuchter have been matched to works on display…
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Dundee Naturalists' Society 150th Anniversary Display Opens
A display at The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery & Museum, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Dundee Naturalists' Society, has opened to the public.
Formed in 1874, it is the longest-running natural history society in Dundee. It has had a continuing connection with McManus since its inception, initially in the form of the Albert Institute. J.B. Corr, one of the first museum natural history curators, was secretary of the society and others became presidents during the twentieth century.
Set up to champion Science and technology in Dundee and act as a networking organisation for interested Dundonians, it organised field expeditions, lectures from prominent Scottish Scientists and exhibitions called conversaziones, which attracted thousands of visitors.
However,…
New boxset of singer-songwriter Michael Marra’s work launched at The McManus
The launch of a limited edition boxset charting the career of one of Dundee’s most loved singers took place at The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery & Museum last night with stars from the music and literary world sharing an evening of celebration and song with the musician’s family and friends.
Award winning Scottish Author Val McDermid sang Frida Kahlo’s Visit to the Taybridge Bar and American singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III travelled from the US to perform a version of Marra’s classic Hermless while daughter of Michael, Alice Marra sang Heavens Hound with Duende Voices to an invited audience.
A Dundee native, Michael Marra was one of Scotland’s foremost cultural figures. Known as the "Bard of Dundee,” his work over more than four decades often transcended the…
McMarras Dnudee
Lovely to try new things and get surprised at how well I can do!
Across 2024, The museum’s Learning Team delivered an ambitious eight-week engagement project called ‘McMarra’s Dnudee’ alongside THAT (Tayside Healthcare Arts Trust) and their participant groups within The McManus. We're so proud of what was achieved that we're now entering the project into the Seriously Social Awards 2024. The awards celebrate the social value & social impact of organisations like ours across the UK.
The project was co-designed to provide person-centred learning experiences and creative participation for people marginalised by their long-term health conditions such as; Stroke, Acquired Brain Injury, Dementia, and others.
Inspiration from the developing archive of Dundee singer-song writer…
Bronze Age jewellery restored for the first time in thousands of years
An early Bronze Age necklace and bracelet have been painstakingly restored by experts at National Museums Scotland. The jewellery can be seen in its original form for the first time in over 4000 years and is now on display at The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery & Museum.
Forty-two jet beads and nine jet ‘plates’ were discovered in a Bronze Age burial at the former Balgay Estate, near Dundee in 1870. At the time, the Balgay Estate extended as far as the shoreline of the River Tay. For over a century the loose beads were thought to come from a single piece of jewellery, but recent research by Dr Alison Sheridan, Research Associate at National Museums Scotland, has revealed they belong to a matching necklace and bracelet set. In-depth analysis has allowed conservators…
International Cat Day!
International Cat Day!
Ameeowse yourself with these cat themed treasures from Dundee City’s Collection this #InternationalCatDay!
This little kitty is hoping for some porridge in this charming scene by John Burr from 1867. ‘Breakfast’ is on display in our Broughty Castle Museum.
This smiling cat ceramic by Katie Horsman (1975) was made in a press mould, which was used over and over again to make many cats. Though all had an identical shape, Horsman used different clays, experimented with firing techniques and used assorted glazes to create diverse feline characters. This one has a jaunty ear chain and glittering green eyes. On display in our Long Gallery at The McManus.
Here is a very dapper ‘Puss in Boots’ by the Pre-Raphaelite artist John Everett Millais…
Dogs of The McManus: Five Four-legged Friends in the City’s Collection
Dogs of The McManus: Five Four-legged Friends in the City’s Collection
For 'take your dog to work day' we'd like to introduce you to five of our four-legged friends in the City's collection!
#TakeYourDogToWorkDay #DogsOfTheMcManus
Wally DugsA sure sign of Spring, these vibrant tulips are a joy to behold, painted by Ann Patrick, daughter of the beloved Dundee artist James McIntosh Patrick. She was born in Dundee and studied at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and at Hospitalfield, Arbroath and her teachers included Alberto Morrocco and David McClure. #springflowers #tulips #flowerart #womenartists
PawprintDealing with a dog's mischief is not just a 21st century problem! Excavated from Carpow legionary fortress, Abernethy, this floor tile fragment shows…
The Art of Spring
The Art of Spring
Hop along with us as we look at some works from Dundee’s Fine Art collection that will get you in the mood for all the joys of Spring!
Tulips in a Glass (1984), oil on board by Ann Patrick (b. 1937)A sure sign of Spring, these vibrant tulips are a joy to behold, painted by Ann Patrick, daughter of the beloved Dundee artist James McIntosh Patrick. She was born in Dundee and studied at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and at Hospitalfield, Arbroath and her teachers included Alberto Morrocco and David McClure. #springflowers #tulips #flowerart #womenartists
© The Artist
Springtime, oil on canvas by Jane Elizabeth Spindler (1856-1939)Take a moment to immerse yourself in this tranquil scene - complete with ducks, cows and…
Eight Women Artists spanning four centuries in Dundee's Collections'
Eight Women Artists spanning four centuries in Dundee's Collections'
The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum offers a fascinating insight into Dundee and with 8 galleries to explore, there is a wealth of information to discover in our exhibitions of art, history and the environment.
To celebrate #WomensHistoryMonth, we want to shine a spotlight on some of the wonderful works by women artists that we have in Dundee City’s collection. Join us as we travel through time from the days of powdered wigs to the age of cutting-edge silver sculpture in these great works of art by pioneering and creative #womenartists. #ScottishArt #ArtHistory #ScottishArtHistory
18th century: Katherine Read (1723-1778) – Portrait of Willielma Campbell, Lady Glenorchy (1762…
McManus Creative Learning Outreach Programme Connects with Ukrainian Families
The McManus Creative Learning Team has begun distributing their free ‘McManus Connects’ Activity books and art resource packs to Ukrainian families as part of an engaging outreach initiative. The creative book is a direct lead on from our 2021-22 Reconnect project; in this previous project the team created a creative book for families, working with Home-Start Dundee during lockdown, and are now using this book as a template for the Ukrainian version. The project at the museum has translated art and craft activities into Ukrainian for those who have arrived in Dundee since 2022.
An associated programme of in-house and outreach workshops designed to foster creativity and community integration, and welcome Ukrainian families to the museum, is now taking place as part of the…
Local Support for Artists and Makers #VACMAScotland
Bursaries of £500 and £750 available
Deadlines: Tuesday 24 October 2023 (5pm) and Tuesday 6 February 2024 (5pm)
Visual Artists and Craft Makers are invited to apply for bursaries of up to £750 for their creative development.
Funded by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland in partnership with a range of local authorities and arts agencies across Scotland, the Visual Artist and Craft Maker Awards (VACMA) will support artists at all stages of their career to develop their creative practice.
This can include researching a new body of work, experimenting with new materials, attending courses, artistic mentoring, masterclasses and residencies, among other activities.
The VACMA programme offers fixed bursaries of £500 for early-career…
