Dundee is a city where creativity flows through every street, studio, and civic space. On a recent visit, the AHRC Creative Communities Director Prof Katy Shaw had the opportunity to explore this dynamic cultural landscape through a series of meetings, walking tours, and conversations with our Community Innovation Practitioner Eilish Victoria and some of the city’s most influential creative leaders and practitioners.
The visit began with a presentation from the Dundee Creative Industries Policy team. Dr Jackie Donachie from the University of Dundee, and Gillian Easson and Freya Barcroft from Creative Dundee explained the sector’s history and capacity for growth. Jackie Donachie, a Baxter Fellow in Creative Economies at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (DJCAD), shared insights from her interdisciplinary practice and the ways in which it is informing strategic spatial planning for culture.
A walking tour of Dundee’s creative and vacant spaces followed, led by Eilish and joined by Andrew Leitch from Creative Scotland who offered a national perspective on creative industries and capital projects. At the Hot Chocolate Trust, Andy Robertson introduced us to the innovative work of his youth arts charity that recently partnered with the Ada Lovelace Institute on a research project exploring young people’s digital lives. Their development of Teckle Data, a values-driven evaluation tool, exemplifies Dundee’s commitment to impact-led creative practice.
At V&A Dundee, we met Dr Jen Ballie, Head of Design Research and a key figure in climate-responsive design and digital innovation. Her work as Co-Investigator on major AHRC projects such as InGAME and Design HOPES reflects the museum’s role as a hub for research and experimentation.
The day continued with a Creative Space Cuppa – a gathering of artists, producers, and cultural strategists working across disciplines. The cross sector group enabled conversations about council strategic plans, grassroots initiatives and the role of design in shaping shared spaces and civic identity.
The visit ended with meeting DJCAD’s Urban Planning Research team, including Enrico Tommarchi and Julie Robertson, whose work is helping to shape the future of creative space infrastructure in the city.
Throughout the visit, what stood out most was the collaborative spirit and civic ambition that defines Dundee’s creative economy. From artist-run spaces to national policy frameworks, the city is building a model for inclusive, sustainable cultural development. It was a privilege to witness this work firsthand and to connect with the people driving it forward who will be working with our Community Innovation Practitioner Eilish to unlock culture-led growth for the many, not the few.
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