Dundee's contemporary arts centre has been nominated for a top family attractions award in recognition of its efforts to get kids creating.
The DCA has been put forward for the Fantastic for Families impact award because of its Art at the Start initiative.
Launched in 2018, Art at the Start saw the Nethergate arts centre team up with Vicky Armstrong and Josephine Ross, researchers from the University of Dundee, to find ways of getting little ones into making their own creative works.
The project is also assessing whether mums and dads creating with their kids can create stronger bonds between all involved.
And even when public events ground to a halt during the coronavirus pandemic, the initiative was able to continue after the team began sending art supplies out to families at home.
"We look at the benefits of art making for 0-3s and their grown-ups," the Art from the Start team told Fantastic for Families.
"Over the pandemic we’ve had to adapt by sending families art materials and ideas to try at home.
"Families told us about lovely benefits they experienced from using the art materials, like feeling better, playing more together, and seeing their little ones respond positively."
Research conducted by speaking to parents has resulted in a book, also called Art at the Start, packed with ideas for parents looking to get creative with their younger children.
The DCA said on social media it was "so excited" for the initiative to be nominated - one year on from the venue scooping the audience impact award at last year's Fantastic for Families ceremony.
However, it is not the only local venue up for a gong later this month.
V&A Dundee is also nominated for a Best Family Arts Activity Award for its Design Busters scheme, which tasks youngsters to put their thinking caps on and get designing with regular challenges.
The winners of the 2021 Fantastic for Families awards will be announced on November 16.
Fantastic for Families is an Arts Council England-funded initiative that recommends families things to do and places to go with their kids for fun-filled days out.
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