Q Arts

Q Arts is committed to opening up the widest possible opportunities for Derby people to participate in creative activity. Participatory projects are undertaken in partnership with key organisations or agencies in the city. The work itself often starts from small projects and builds up to larger or more ambitious pieces over time. The nature of the work and the partnerships with other organisations and agencies means that, unlike other Q Arts work, participatory projects are not open access. The resulting art works, however, are publicly presented either locally or in the city centre, and often in major art venues like the Guildhall and Q Gallery. At Q Arts, participation permeates throughout the organisation. There are sightings, exhibitions, installations , photography and new media work that are participatory in nature. This is led by a cohesive vision for visual arts in Derby, building strong and sustainable links between people who define themselves as artists and those who would not think of doing so. Q Sightings is an ongoing programme of temporary artworks shown in a variety of public spaces throughout the city. The programme offers emerging artists the opportunity to work in new contexts enabling them to gain experience of working on public art projects. At the same time larger scale projects involving national and international based artists also enable artists and the Derby public to see work by leading contemporary artists. The Sightings programme increases access to art through either passive or active participation. Artists are commissioned to create work that is either issue based or site specific to its locality or community. Artworks can either directly involve participants in their creation or participants can make work that is shown alongside the artists work. The work will also link to the gallery programme and the photo-new media activity in order that there is an inclusive programme of activity.