The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery & Museum

19/10/2026

Costume designer Jane Petrie tells us how she balances accuracy and creativity when making costumes for TV and film.

There's only one month left to see Curtain Call: Costumes from Stage and Screen. The exhibition closes on 15 November so see it before it's too late - admission is free!

18/10/2026

As the curtain is nearly drawn to a close on our ‘Curtain Call: Costumes from Stage and Screen’ exhibition, we wanted to take a second to reflect on how it has gone.

If you have been to see our exhibition we’d love to hear from you.

We’ve created a short 10 question survey to hear your thoughts about the show focusing on what you’ve loved, what you’ve not, and how we can improve moving forward. Your feedback means a lot to us and will help us to shape and mould the future of what we provide and exhibit here at the McManus moving forward.

This is your chance to let us know so make sure to head to the following link to submit your feedback.
🔗 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/mcmanusccs

16/10/2026

16/10/2026

Have you visited Centre Stage at the McManus yet?

Here's what people are saying about the new commission featured in the exhibition, an incredible portrait of Claire Mitchell of Witches of Scotland by the fantastic Calum Stevenson.

15/10/2026

A paintbrush, a palette... and a false grey beard.

Kirstin Mackinnon parodies male Old Master artists in this playful self-portrait, which questions how different genders are portrayed in art and asks why some artists are valued more than others.

Come see this work on display in the new free exhibition Centre Stage: Portraits from a Modern World at The McManus. On loan from Duncan of Jordanstone Collection, University of Dundee.

14/10/2026

Join us tomorrow as The McManus teams up with Comics Youth SCIO for a frightfully fun afternoon of Halloween-inspired comics! 🖊️✨

Step into the shadows of the museum and unleash your creativity! With Comics Youth, we’ll be bringing haunted tales, chilling characters, and spooky sketches to life in comic form.

🕷️ Dream up creepy characters
🕸️ Spin scary stories
💀 Create chilling comics inspired by the museum itself!
👀 Phantom Frames!
✏️ Spine-Tingling Sketches!

Bring your imagination… if you dare! 🎃

This family-friendly session is FREE, with no need to book. Just drop in!
Thursday 15 October, 1.30-3.30pm at The McManus

13/10/2026

Wow, this is a huge portrait!

How does the scale of Father affect us? At what stage in our lives might we see our fathers this size, metaphorically or physically?

Reekie’s super-sized portrait of his dad underlines a father’s psychological importance to a child. The artist was keen that we consider how our interactions with family and friends shape our identity and sense of self.

Context is important. Father formed part of a larger installation imbued with humanity and humour. It included large-scale portraits of family members, but also self-portraits: the artist squashed into a box and the artist squashed behind glass. Finally, shown alongside this work – the artist fitted into the shape of his father.

This work is on display in the new free exhibition, Centre Stage: Portraits from a Modern World at The McManus.

13/10/2026

There's only one week left to apply for VACMA funding!

Are you an artist working in Dundee? offers bursaries of up to £1000 for artists to support their creative & professional development.

Applications close on 20 October at 5pm, so apply now at http://www.leisureandculturedundee.com/vacma

Creative Scotland National Lottery Good Causes

12/10/2026

Anyone who has spent time around Dundee's music and club scene is likely to recognise Howard "Howie" McLeod. Here he is, captured here by artist Steven Higginson in his award-winning portrait Howie.

Painted after conversations about a life shaped by music, community and creativity, the portrait shows Howie in the familiar surroundings of DCA, complete with his trademark tilted hat.

Winner of Second Prize at the 2024 Scottish Portrait Awards, Howie is on display in the new free exhibition , Centre Stage: Portraits from a Modern World at The McManus.

Have you ever seen Howie DJ or play live? Let us know in the comments.

Howie by artist Steven Higginson. © Steven Higginson. On loan from the artist.

11/10/2026

What goes in to designing a costume? Designer Jane Petrie shares her process.

Curtain Call: Costumes from Stage and Screen is open until 15 November at The McManus. Admission is free.