Dundee's Cooper Gallery faces closure amid university cuts

The Cooper Gallery at the University of Dundee might shut down by 2027 due to budget cuts. This information first came to light from The Jute Journal and includes plans to cut seven academic positions along with one supporting role at the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design. Founded in 1953, the gallery has featured notable artists like Turner Prize nominees Heather Phillipson and The Otolith Group, among others. It currently has just two staff members and plays a vital role for both artists and the local community. A petition with almost 500 signatures, backed by artists like Hayley Tompkins, highlights its significance. This situation is part of a broader decline in Scotland's arts scene, with other closures and rent increases on the horizon. Also, the university plans to end philosophy programs in 2027.