Culture and creativity to take centre stage at City Lab

The first exhibition of 2023 is set to take place at Derby City Lab, kicking off a packed programme of events at the venue.

From Monday, the space in St James Street, which has undergone a revamp for this year, will be taken over by Culture Derby, an agency which leads on the strategic development of arts, culture and creativity in the city.

As well as leading on Derby’s bid for the UK City of Culture 2029, Culture Derby aims to increase the amount of funding coming into the city for cultural and creative activity – and respond to opportunities as they arise.

Culture Derby, which will be in the lab for two weeks, has said it aims to use its time there to engage with stakeholders.

In a statement, it said: “We will use our time in the Derby City Lab to refine our plans, engage with stakeholders and gather feedback on our immediate activity and long-term vision. We are Derby!”

Derby City Lab, which is housed in a unit provided courtesy of Clowes Developments, has been made possible thanks to a partnership between Marketing Derby, the University of Derby, Derby City Council and Lathams.

Opened in July last year, the aim of the lab is to engage local people in the city’s future.

It hosts a rolling programme of exhibitions and events – and to date has accommodated exhibitions by businesses and organisations, including Down to Earth Derby, Derby City Council, the University of Derby and a joint exhibition by Wates Construction and Lathams.

Manned by Marketing Derby staff and a team of volunteers – or ‘change-makers’ – the lab also houses the inward investment agency’s Investor Showcase, which details all the major projects taking place in the city.

Amy Burton, inward investment executive at Marketing Derby and Derby City Lab lead, said: “Arts, culture and creativity are essential ingredients for a vibrant, thriving city.

“That is why the city lab is delighted to host Culture Derby and assist them in engaging with the community as they share their plans for culture-led growth.”

The Derby City Lab will be open on Monday 6 February, Tuesday 7 February, Monday 13 February and Tuesday 14 February, from 10am to 2pm, when it will be manned by representatives from Culture Derby.

It will also be open on Wednesday 8 February and Wednesday 15 February, from 12noon to 4pm and Thursday 9 February and Thursday 16 February, from 2pm to 6pm, when it will be manned by Marketing Derby staff.

For more information visit here.

You can keep up to date with the latest events at Derby City Lab on Twitter here or following on Instagram here.