Project news

Derby: The new QUAD arts centre in Derby is now open to the public and has already been described by the Guardian as “an arts centre to rival the best…” From its inception in 2003 to its opening in Autumn 2008, DPA has acted as the Council’s Development Director for the project. (See brochure)

For the modest £11.4 million it cost to build, QUAD is beautifully equipped; it delivers a first class and fully secure and environmentally controlled art gallery, two excellent cinemas, another large flexible space (for art, film or talks), a state-of-the-art BFI-linked mediatheque and a superb digital arts lab open to all for hands-on learning. There is also an office space where small creative organisations can base themselves, and a spacious entrance area with a welcoming café.

The QUAD project began some ten years ago in 1998 when Derby City Council was scratching its head over a future for its Assembly Rooms, a heavily intractable 1970s building built primarily as a concert hall, and initial thoughts were to turn it into an arts centre with a new Central Library attached. The City needed new and different ways to look at its cultural future. To further their thoughts, the Council engaged DPA to help construct the cultural strategy and to advise on what capital investment would be the light switch for a new artistic future.

Our experience working in the complex interface between place, people and culture proved invaluable. DPA offers strategic advice on cultural development around the country, often matching the needs of communities to capital projects during periods of regeneration. Over the last two decades, we have been the hidden catalyst, helping local authorities and other public bodies to harness the power of culture when places are in transition. We have advised on buildings including BALTIC in Gateshead and Stratford Circus in East London, and on arts and creative industry policy from Brighton and the City of Westminster to Folkestone and the Medway towns.

Gardner Arts Centre to re-open as the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts We were delighted to hear that the University of Sussex has announced the renaming of the Gardner Arts Centre as – the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts – in time for its re-opening as part of the University’s 50th anniversary year in 2011/12. The renaming signals a new beginning for this purpose-built, campus-based, arts building and follows recommendations made by DPA late last year.

Our report proposed a change in direction for the centre, one more embedded in the life and work of the University, towards it functioning as a space for the exploration, presentation and study of creativity and the creative arts. The associated £4million capital programme aims to restore the flexibility of the main auditorium, bringing all three original stage areas back into use and providing seating for up to 500 people. The appointment of a new Director, to develop the new Centre and its creative arts programme, is expected later this year.

The new name celebrates the contribution of the Attenborough family to the life of the University and particularly Lord Attenborough, who has been involved with Sussex for over 40 years and served as Chancellor of the University for nearly a decade until stepping down in 2008. His inspirational film career and lifelong support for the arts and humanities serves as a spur to future generations.

We wish the University every success with the venture. For more information click here

Cultural Footprints: DPA completed work on the first Cultural Footprint audits of their kind for the University of Brighton and another for the three Universities in Canterbury (Canterbury Christ Church University, University of Kent and University College of the Creative Arts). Jointly commissioned with Arts Council England South East, in response to Arts, Excellence and Enterprise its strategy for Higher Education, the audits set out the resources and programmes through which the Universities variously contribute to their locality and propose starting points for more effective joint working.

National Federation of Artists' Studio Providers (NFASP): Commissioned by NFASP in May 2008, work is now complete on research into the impact of the Olympics on artist studios in the five London Olympic boroughs. As part of this, DPA consulted studio providers and artists, looking at their recent experiences and focusing on changes and developments which have occurred in recent years. DPA is also working with NFASP to develop a promotional strategy in the Olympic boroughs.

Creative Foundation: The Foundation's proposal for national pilot status in the Government's £25 million Find Your Talent programme, co-ordinated by DPA working to a tight time schedule in April 2008, has been successful. Young people living in the Shepway District and including Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh will have the chance to develop and encounter a range of high-quality cultural experiences for five hours a week, both in and outside of school. This will be only one of two pilots to be directed by a cultural organisation, with the strong support of Kent County Council and a range of educational and cultural partners in the area. For more information: Creative Partnerships