Dundee Contemporary Arts has been invited to curate Scotland and Venice 2009, a presentation of new work from Scotland for the 53rd International Art Exhibition at the Venice Biennale.

The Scottish Arts Council together with the National Galleries of Scotland and British Council Scotland are continuing their successful partnership to drive what will be Scotland’s fourth independent presentation at this most prestigious international showcase.

Scotland and Venice 2009 will build on the critical success of previous projects which have promoted artists including Turner Prize winner Simon Starling and current Turner Prize nominee Cathy Wilkes.

Founded in 1999 Dundee Contemporary Arts is a flagship venue for the visual arts in Scotland, with a strong track record in supporting artistic production of the highest quality and promoting new work nationally and internationally. The partners believe it is particularly fitting that Scotland and Venice will coincide with DCA’s ten year anniversary programme.

The DCA curatorial team of Judith Winter, Deputy Director/Head of Artistic Programme and Graham Domke, Exhibitions Curator has undertaken initial research and development in Venice.

Jim Tough, Acting Chief Executive at the Scottish Arts Council said

‘Scotland is increasingly concerned with its role as a creative nation with high artistic ambitions in an international context. Scotland and Venice is a significant showcasing opportunity for the visual arts and we aim to build on the success of previous projects. We are delighted to be working once again with our partners in the National Galleries of Scotland and British Council and look forward to forging a new relationship with the team at DCA who have the experience and imagination to bring forward a truly exciting project for 2009.’

Dundee Contemporary Arts Director, Clive Gillman, commented:

‘Dundee Contemporary Arts has been key to the continuing success of the visual arts in Scotland since its opening in 1999. We are very proud that this work has been recognised by Scottish Arts Council, National Galleries of Scotland and British Council Scotland and look forward to taking this opportunity to work with the partners to represent Scotland at this incredibly prestigious international cultural event.’

Simon Groom, Director of Modern and Contemporary Art at the National Galleries of Scotland Said:

“The National Galleries of Scotland is delighted to be working with the Scottish Arts Council, the British Council and DCA. The partnership signals a new and innovative way of working that builds upon existing experience, whilst allowing us the opportunity to draw upon the strengths across the visual arts community within Scotland, to present an ambitious programme on the world’s most visible and influential international platform for contemporary art.”

Roy Cross Director British Council Scotland: ‘Scotland pioneers in the visual arts and we are delighted to be involved in the opportunity to showcase its achievements on an international scale.’

Culture Minister Linda Fabiani said: “Scotland’s continued presence at the Venice International Art Exhibition is hugely significant. This is a fantastic platform for our world class artists to showcase their work to international audiences. I am delighted that so many of our artistic organisations will be coming together on this project, demonstrating Scotland’s ongoing commitment to visual arts.