Culture Derby: a Cultural Masterplan and Cultural Compact for Derby City Council.

The Fifth Sector, in collaboration with Augarde & Partners, successfully completed a Cultural Masterplan and Cultural Compact for Derby City Council last year. This built upon the legacy of the City of Culture 2025 bid.

Working closely with the team from Derby City Council and Arts Council England, the resulting Derby Manifesto aimed to sustain the momentum of creative regeneration in Derby. It provided evidence to define priorities for the cultural and creative community while strengthening and expanding Derby's creative businesses and enhancing diversity in the city's cultural and creative workforce.

The Manifesto included recommendations for establishing a new partnership – Culture Derby. Speaking with Adam Buss, the Bid Director for the City of Culture 2025 Bid, at the Derby City Lab, a temporary initiative aimed at involving and empowering local residents in shaping the city's future, he explained the formation of "Culture Derby" as a new strategic entity and cultural catalyst for a fresh approach to culture in the city.

Find out more about Culture Derby

Culture Derby

Culture Derby will act as a liaison between the city's businesses, cultural organisations, and practitioners. It will facilitate new partnerships and provide practical support and advice to aid in their development. Prominent businesses and stakeholders such as Rolls Royce, Toyota, Alstom, and the University of Derby will be urged to pledge their commitment to the city's cultural vision and enterprising future.

The new cultural priorities, inspired by the Derby Manifesto and being built upon by Culture Derby, aim to increase the number of creative organisations and resources for cultural activities. Additionally, efforts are underway to develop a bid for UK City of Culture 2029. Mark Gregory (Rolls Royce), recently appointed interim Chair of Culture Derby, intends to take the necessary steps to transform Derby into a vibrant creative and cultural destination or powerhouse, exemplifying great ambition.

Culture Derby has already secured c£380k in funding from Create Growth and the Shared Prosperity Fund for a programme to support creative businesses and individuals with cultural disruptions throughout the city. One of the program's key priorities is the City Centre Vibrancy Fund, which offers funding to develop initiatives and installations to surprise and engage local communities while creating visually captivating content. These disruptions will serve as visible demonstrations of change. Local artists are invited to propose creative interventions such as decorated hoardings, painted streets, window treatments on vacant properties, wall murals, and installations. Culture Derby has already taken action to broker submissions, allowing graffiti artists to use temporary boarding in specific areas of the city centre during redevelopment.

Lara Croft homage in Derby city centre

Another proposal aims to increase access to spaces for creatives through grants that would enable the conversion of city center properties into studios for artists, makers, and designers. This proposal consists of two strands: one providing grants of up to £50,000 for landlords to convert properties into units suitable for creative industry and maker businesses, and the other providing grants of up to £10,000 for creative and maker businesses to fit-out and refurbish their rented studios. The proposal is currently awaiting approval from the council.

Derby was successful in securing £20m from the Levelling Up Fund for the construction of a new theatre called Assemble. This theatre, a partnership between the University of Derby and the city council, will replace Derby Theatre, which is currently located within a shopping center. The new theatre will be constructed on the site of the old Assembly Rooms in the central Market Place, as part of a partnership between the University of Derby and the city council. The goal is to revitalise the area by hosting events and activities in the city center, while also contributing to the City of Culture 2029 bid and aligning with the objectives of Culture Derby.

Significant progress has already been made in Derby within a year, with resources and funding readily allocated to individuals and creative organisations. This demonstrates a recognised effort to mobilise the city and confront its challenges head-on, utilising culture as a catalyst for change. We eagerly anticipate returning to Derby in the months and years ahead to witness further advancements.

The Museum of Making in Derby