Derby gets hi-tech arts centre

Derby will tomorrow open a brand new £11m arts and film centre, Quad, housing the first ever BFI film and television archive outside London.

The hi-tech visual arts, audio and digital media centre, built by architect Fielden Clegg Bradley, contains contemporary gallery spaces, artists studios, the BFI Mediatheque, a GHC Apple Mac Suite and an experimental glass Box designed by artist Alexander Beleshenko.

Quad was formed through a collaboration between Derby’s independent cinema Metro and the Q Arts gallery, in a project that brings a variety of visual arts together under one roof.

Adam Buss, Quad marketing manager, believes the new arts centre is key to the ‘cultural renaissance of the East Midlands’.

‘The East Midlands is going through an exciting period of cultural regeneration, and what we are doing is bringing in world-class artists and designers from the international art scene, while maintaining a strong local focus. Our overall objective is to make art and film accessible to all,’ he adds.

The art centre brand, visual identity and website were created by Katapult Brand Communications, while the interior design scheme was managed by Quad in collaboration with FCB.

Tomorrow’s opening is part of the eclectic Derby Festé weekend, which kicks off with a festival parade of giant insects from Catalan carnival company Sarruga, a film screening of the best of Derby FC’s history, and the burning of a giant wooden sculpture by artist Denic Tricot.

Quad’s inaugural programme includes an exhibition by internationally renowned artists Jane and Louise Wilson, Spiteful of Dream, which was created following months of consultation with local companies and individuals to reflect the industrial heritage and economic migration to the city.

Visit www.derbyquad.co.uk for more information.