By Grant Smith

AS IT approaches its 10th anniversary Dundee Contemporary Arts continues to pull in the visitors, city councillors will hear tonight.

A report to the leisure, arts and communities committee explains that an average of 670 people per day were welcomed at the venue during 2007-08.

This helped to bring in £1.26 million in external investment and trading income over and above the council’s funding, sustaining 78 full-time equivalent jobs.

For the new financial year councillors will be asked to approve a grant of £270,000 to help with DCA’s running costs.

Stewart Murdoch, director of leisure and communities, says in his report that DCA had shown “renewed vigour” last year and its partnership with the council saw the creation of a “cultural pathfinder” project that has involved housing estates residents.

His review explains that several major exhibitions had been held and in almost all cases they were the first—and sometimes only—chance for people in the UK to see works by internationally-acclaimed artists.

The community and education programme saw more than 3000 people attend 200 events, including successful drop-in sessions for young people.

Membership of the print studio, which supports local artists, continued to grow.

Mr Murdoch says, “Highlights for the coming year will include a significant set of exhibitions culminating in the 10th birthday celebrations in spring 2009.

“DCA will present the first major show in the UK by Spencer Finch, a US-based artist who works with light, and a summer show looking at new directions in painting.

“The 10th birthday will be anticipated by an exhibition entitled Timecode which will feature works by artists looking at time and its passing.

“The growth of the Discovery film festival into a year-round programme of educational development and children’s culture will continue, alongside other festival offerings.”

These will include programmes of experimental film and music, animation, Italian, French and Asian cinema.