Derby, the city at the heart of the country, with culture at its heart.

The people of Derby are its greatest cultural asset, with a diversity of backgrounds, knowledge and ideas, creating a rich cultural mix.

Our city and its communities are a physical expression of Derby’s history, heritage and culture.

Innovation and creativity have been shaping Derby from the birth of the industrial revolution and are informing our future ambition.

Culture will be a driver for place making, creating a vibrant city where people want to live, work, visit and invest.

“Derby and its people have a rich cultural heritage; we are a city of many voices and languages, with a desire to learn, create and celebrate.”

Culture is fundamental to Derby's ambition to create a confident, diverse economy, and a place of health and happiness.

"Derby is a city that has always had creativity and innovation at its heart but more importantly we believe that every resident and visitor should benefit from the power of arts and culture to make change for the better.

"Derby is a diverse, global city and our City of Culture bid will reflect both the unique qualities of the city and the unifying human qualities that bind us together."

Adam Buss, CEO, QUAD

Culture Strategy

The strategy presents our 10 year vision for culture in the city, building on our rich heritage and setting our ambition for the future.

Read more about the Culture Strategy...

Culture Strategy

Latest News

In Good Company and Derby Theatre announce Artist Support Fund…
In Good Company and Derby Theatre announce Artist Support Fund…

August 30, 2021

In Good Company and Derby Theatre are thrilled to announce their eight Artist Support Fund recipients for 2021, who will each receive a bursary of up…

Future Focus Open
Future Focus Open

August 26, 2021

FORMAT & QUAD are delighted to announce the FUTURE FOCUS OPEN CALL. FUTURE FOCUS is an Open Call for submissions aimed at graduates from…

Music, dancing and more coming to Derby Market Place
Music, dancing and more coming to Derby Market Place

August 23, 2021

More events have now been added to the great line-up of shows and attractions at the Derby Loves You temporary venue at Derby Market Place.…

Record 20 cities bid for prestigious UK City of Culture…
Record 20 cities bid for prestigious UK City of Culture…

August 20, 2021

A record 20 places from across the UK have submitted an expression of interest to become the UK City of Culture 2025 – an…

City of Culture bid director appointed
City of Culture bid director appointed

August 17, 2021

Derby City Council and QUAD are delighted to announce that Adam Buss, CEO of QUAD, has been appointed interim Bid Director for City of…

City exhibition aims to make voice of Derby’s youth heard!
City exhibition aims to make voice of Derby’s youth heard!

July 12, 2021

Work created by dozens of young Derby artists is taking centre stage in an innovative exhibition set to go live outside the city’s cathedral…

Derby to bid for City of Culture 2025
Derby to bid for City of Culture 2025

July 6, 2021

Derby, the birthplace of the industrial revolution, site of the world’s first factory, a leader of the English enlightenment, a city of innovation, and…

Exhibition celebrating Quentin Blake’s 50-year partnership with John Yeoman opens…
Exhibition celebrating Quentin Blake’s 50-year partnership with John Yeoman opens…

July 6, 2021

An exhibition celebrating illustrator Quentin Blake’s 50-year partnership with author John Yeoman is set to open at Derby Museums, just in time for the…

Summertime, and the living is easy – in Derby
Summertime, and the living is easy – in Derby

June 24, 2021

Derby’s innovative al fresco Market Place has been transformed for summer to create a new dining and live entertainment space at the heart of…

Derby Rams finally hit the Trail
Derby Rams finally hit the Trail

May 27, 2021

This Thursday 27th May, residents of Derby will wake up to a delightful sight as a flock of 30 colourful ram sculptures appear across…

Derby is a place where rivers meet; where the uplands of the Peaks meet the plain of the Trent.

This environment was a meeting place for people, traders and cultures, from the Saxons and the Danes of the 9th century to the multicultural city of today. Derby has commerce, making and looking outwards in its soul.

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