March 2022

New ‘Harley Art Trail’ takes visitors on a walk through history

A new art trail is opening on 10th March along the footpath between contemporary art space Harley Gallery and Creswell Crags, home to Britain’s earliest cave art.

From the contemporary art gallery at the Harley, the free entry trail winds through woodlands
and open countryside, before crossing the A60 and heading on towards Creswell Crags. The
verges have been planted with wildflowers, and a bee corridor has been developed.
Along the way, you will find new sculptures by two local artists, Michelle Reader and Martin
Smith.

Upcoming Feature Film Project by Orchestra Live

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Orchestra Live presents Breathe

A powerful meditation on what it means to be together.

                                                                               Daniel Kidane

Platinum Jubilee opportunity for choirs

Choirs are invited to take part in Queen's Platinum Jubilee Beacons Song for the Commonwealth performances.

When beacons are lit across the country on 2 June 2022 to mark the Platinum Jubilee, to add to the occasion a new song will be sung by different choirs of all sizes and age groups at the different locations. The song was chosen by competition and is called A Life Lived with Grace by Vincent Atueyi Chinemelu and Lucy Kiely. 

Two new exhibitions at Buxton Museum

Two new exhibitions featuring work by Peak District artists have opened at the Buxton museum and art gallery in Buxton.

In one of the exhibitions, Treasuring Trees, three artists celebrate trees using watercolours, photography, poetry, storytelling and puppetry.

The other exhibition, Twenty Twenty...and Beyond, is of work by members of the Chapel Camera Club.

Both exhibitions seek to record aspects of how the COVID-19 pandemic affected people.

Have your say in two consultations

We're launching two consultations because we want your views on both our support for people who are autistic and/or have learning disabilities, and how we support older people to live independently.

Learning disability support

You'll be able to have your say on our proposals to change some day services so that people with learning disabilities and/or who are autistic can lead the lives they choose to.

FUNDING FOR ARTS AND ARTISTS

Active Derbyshire has updated us with their Funding Newsletter for March 2022, here are some of the funds that may interest our Artists and Organisations:

  • UK Youth Fund - Thriving Minds

The Thriving Minds fund grant programme aims to improve mental health support and provision for young people and youth workers. Grants of £15,000 – £50,000 per year for up to 3 years are available.

Sing Viva Carers Choirs are free for all carers in Derby and Chesterfield

Part time, fulltime and sandwich carers are encouraged to join, although no one would be turned away that wanted to take part.

People wanting to attend can attend in person or online via Zoom (with televisions ensuring people are comfortable, but also feel part of the sessions and in the room). The sessions are also a great excuse for drinking tea, eating cake and having a chat and this super friendly social aspect is just as important to health and wellbeing benefits.

JOIN MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID NETWORK

Have you completed Mental Health First Aid Training and live/work in Derbyshire or Derby City? 

 

Why not come and join our new Mental Health First Aid Network. This is the opportunity to have a safe space to discuss challenges, problem solving and share best practice.

 

As a Mental Health First Aider, you get to use your skills to support your community, but we want to give you a space for peer support around being your role as a Mental Health First Aider.

 

Online event that platforms rurally-based disabled creatives both in Derbyshire and further afield

Further Afield is a series of FREE online events produced in collaboration with LEVEL Artistic Associate Bella Milroy, designed to find, support and platform rurally-based disabled creatives both in Derbyshire and further afield.

Presented as a conversation between Bella and a guest speaker, Further Afield explores the impact of disability on a rurally based, contemporary creative practice and how creative networks can be encouraged to make the art scene more accessible.

 

Book Signing by RNA Award Winner, Shirley Mann this April!

Shirley Mann is the author of the books, Lily's War, Bobby's War and Hannah's War. She won the RNA Romantic Saga Novel of the Year 2021. A journalist, Shirley has worked across newspapers, BBC radio and TV and now is a published author. 

Read more about Shirley here.

She will be doing a book signing during the Book Festival and  Big Book Day in April.

Whats On: Women's Prize for Fiction

Here are all the latest updates from Women's Prize Trust:

  • Help shape our new range

    Toni, Maya, Daphne, Nora and Virginia. We have loved seeing our Girls on Tops x Women's Prize t-shirt collaboration in the wild, being worn with pride.

    Which raises the question... If we were to bring out a second collection of t-shirts, which of these iconic women writers would you want on yours? Cast your vote over on one of our social channels this week. 

Whats On: Women's Prize for Fiction

Here are all the latest updates from Women's Prize Trust:

  • Help shape our new range

    Toni, Maya, Daphne, Nora and Virginia. We have loved seeing our Girls on Tops x Women's Prize t-shirt collaboration in the wild, being worn with pride.

    Which raises the question... If we were to bring out a second collection of t-shirts, which of these iconic women writers would you want on yours? Cast your vote over on one of our social channels this week. 

Artichoke presents: EXHIBIT YOUR ARTWORK FOR MILLIONS TO SEE

Don’t miss your chance to be part of a new project with a vision to change the art world with Artichoke.

We’re inviting artists working at all levels (aged 18+) to apply to present work as part of a ground-breaking new gallery without walls.

Artworks by 10 artists, including a lead artist, will be reproduced at scale and displayed for millions to see in public spaces in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in partnership with the Out of Home Industry.*

EPICTRONIC presents: Autómata

French post-rock discovery Autómata have signed a deal with Epictronic for their self-titled album "Autómata", which is due for release on April 1st, 2022.

FORMAT22 Presents: New Exhibitions across QUAD Galleries

FORMAT22 Presents includes six new exhibitions as part of FORMAT International Photography Festival’s off year programme. Established in 2004, FORMAT is the UK’s leading international contemporary festival of photography and related media. It organises a year-round programme of international commissions, open calls, residencies, conferences and collaborations in the UK and Internationally and welcomes over 200,000 visitors from all over the world to its biennale editions.

The Cultural Evolution: Identity, Performance and Fashion

James Ellson's Creative Writing Class

James Ellson is coming up with a Creative Writing Class this April!
 
Creative writing class Learn to critique other people's work, so you can edit your own.
 
James Ellson is the author of 'The Trail'. He is  currently working on the sequel to The Trail. He also mentors work in progress, and talks at writing groups and festivals..

The class will be based on the powerful technique of workshopping and students will take in turns to exchange 2-3,000 words of their work-in-progress.

New shows announced in 2023 at Derby Arena

Derby LIVE is delighted to announce two brand new shows at Derby Arena for 2023.

Appearing in early 2023, hit shows The Illegal Eagles and Steve Steinman’s Anything For Love will once again provide nights to remember in Derby Arena.

Both shows have previously been sell-out success and will bring their brand-new productions to delight audiences in Derby.

The National Madison and Omnium Championships return to Derby Arena

Derby Arena are delighted to welcome back the National Madison and Omnium Championships with an action-packed weekend of racing.

Dame Laura Kenny, the most decorated British female Olympian of all time, will be among the names to watch on the track when the cycling event returns for the first time since October 2019.

BANKS MILL SHORTLISTED FOR A MAINFRAME AWARD

We are excited and proud to announce that we've been shortlisted for a Mainframe Award.  These awards celebrate the best creative and digital industries in Derby and Banks Mill are up for best Local Network. A number of our members have also been shortlisted too:

 

Film Exhibition Fund is Open to Applications

Our Film Exhibition Fund is still open to applications, we continue to focus on rebooting the independent film exhibition sector, and aiding exhibitors of all kinds across the Midlands.

Support of up to £15,000 is available for all members of Film Hub Midlands, and the deadline is Friday 18 March.

A SPLASH OF COLOUR AT CREATIVE MELBOURNE GALLERY

Time to brighten up your life...

Drop into A SPLASH OF COLOUR an exhibition featuring work by Melbourne Festival artists including:

Stevie Davies Glass, Nicki Dennett, Laura Donaldson, Amanda Graham, Matthieu Leger, Patrick Prentice and Walt Shaw!

Happening at the exciting NEW Creative Melbourne Gallery until 26th March.

Location: Wellington House, Church Street Melbourne DE73 8EJ


A taste of Melbourne Festival all year round!

Buxton Fringe has confirmed a new Springboard event!

Buxton Fringe has confirmed its entertainment line-up for Springboard, a brand new event at The Green Man Gallery designed to mark the changing season and promote the Fringe’s forthcoming festival in July.

Singing group Four Tell, folk artist Chris Milner - Journeyman and hilarious Beat poets The Glummer Twins will be offering extracts from their Fringe shows at the open-to-all party which takes place at Buxton’s Green Man Gallery on Saturday March 19th from 7 to 9pm.

JOB OPPORTUNITY with Erewash Borough Council

Erewash Borough Council seeks to employ an experienced and enthusiastic Museum Services Manager (Part-Time) responsible for Erewash Museum and Arts Development services.

The award winning museum is located at Dalby House in Ilkeston and aims to reflect the lives of people that have lived and worked locally. The museum team has won various awards like Derbyshire’s Museum of the Year and was also shortlisted for the national Kids in Museums, Family Friendly Museum Award for the past two years.

Museum Services Manager 

Job Opportunity with FORMAT: Social Media Officer

This is a wonderful opportunity to join the FORMAT team. We are looking for a Social Media Officer who can lead our social media campaign and support our marketing and press teams.

The Role would involve supporting the FORMAT Team to manage and deliver their international and national social media campaigns and be responsible for social media content and management.

FORMAT22 Presents: Exhibition Launch

Join us for the launch of FORMAT22 Presents
Friday 18th March 5.30pm – 8.30pm
Venues: Victoria Street & QUAD

We are delighted to announce our series of exhibitions which will open in Derby this spring.

In Derby’s art centre QUAD, we welcome curator Azu Nwagbogu’s exciting exhibition The Cultural Evolution – Identity, Performance and Fashion.

FORMAT22 Presents International Portfolio Review

The FORMAT International Portfolio Review offers photographers the opportunity to get their work in front of leading industry experts invited from around the world

The Portfolio Review is aimed at committed photographers with a developed and serious approach to their work. Recent graduates are welcome. Please contact sebahc@derbyquad.co.uk for any queries.

March Newsletter: Strutt's North Mill- Belper

  • Half Term Success (despite flooding!)

We had a great success with our Rainforest Recycled kids craft event, which was held on the 23rd and 24th February, despite the flooding that happened due to the weather at the prior weekend. A HUGE thank you to everyone who came, and if you have any pictures you wish to share, please send them through our social media and we will be sure to use them on our page!

'Hope, Renewal & Rebirth in Nature': Photography Competition Open Now!

We’re excited to announce the theme for this year’s Dronfield Wildlife & Natural History Group photography competition – ‘Hope, Renewal & Rebirth in Nature’ - and we're looking forward to receiving your entries!

Examples of this theme could include the first pioneering spring bulbs breaking the surface after winter, young swallows with their parents, or a newly hatched butterfly.

There will be an exhibition at the Barn in November for all the winners, runners up and other notable pictures.

This year's competition has three age brackets:

Derby Folk Festival is back for 2022

Derby Folk Festival is back this autumn bringing amazing acts and a great atmosphere right into the heart of the city.

Produced by Derby LIVE and in association with Bob on Arts this year’s festival will run over three days from Fri 30 Sep to Sun 2 Oct.

After the sell-out success of last year’s festival, which saw visitors travel from around the UK and Ireland to attend the 15th Derby Folk Festival, this year’s impressive line-up continues to prove that Derby is the place to be for all things folk.

2022 Wirksworth Festival BookFest!

The Wirksworth BookFest is coming to Derbyshire on the weekend of the 23rd and 24th April!

It will be a weekend of books, author talks, and the Big Book Sale of second hand books.

Be part of a lottery heritage film!

Help The National Lottery – Heritage Fund demonstrate the breadth of heritage we fund by telling us what heritage means to you.

We're working on a compilation film to demonstrate the breadth of heritage we fund and we need your help. 

We want to hear from you about what your favourite heritage is, or what 'heritage' means to you.

It could be as broad or as specific as you like. It could be a place or an object; it could be a memory or an experience or even a connection you’ve made. 

How to get involved

Spring Bank Arts upcoming 'TWELFTH DAY'

TWELFTH DAY
Saturday 26th March
7:30PM

★★★★ The Guardian  "genre-blending style that is both edgy and inventive. . . ."
★★★★★ fRoots “a boldly brilliant record, suffused with dark humour and wildly inventive musicianship
Folk Radio UK  one of the most rewarding listening experiences to be placed before an audience this year.”
Max Reinhardt, BBC Radio 3 “instantly addictive”

Early Mothers Day Workshop by Dronfield Heritage Trust

Early Mothers Day idea Stained Glass Workshop at Peel Centre on Saturday 5 March

Tickets: £50.00 (£45.00 friends)
Time: 10 - 4pm

Fancy having a go at making a striking stained glass 20 x 12cm landscape plaque? Come along to our workshop in the Edward Lucas Hall on Saturday 5 March from 10am-4pm.*

*There will be a one hour break for lunch – not provided in cost.

Chesterfield Area Walking Festival returns for 2022!

The Chesterfield Area Walking Festival is returning for another year, with residents and visitors being encouraged to get outdoors and enjoy what the area has to offer.

The annual festival – taking place from Saturday 14 May to Sunday 22 May – features a variety of gentle strolls, family walks and hikes for those who are more experienced. Tickets for the festival will be available to book from Tuesday 1 March.

Spital Arts is back!

Following the success of our first Spital Arts gig for almost exactly two years with the excellent Take Four Jazz  group, we are pleased and proud to present Latchepen.

This is one of the highly rated Live & Local events and is one that we had to postpone because of the pandemic.

Latchepen are a Django Reinhardt inspired jazz band so you can expect a wonderful evening of high quality gypsy jazz and swing.

Jasmin Vardimon Company in the East Midlands!

Jasmin Vardimon Company are now in the East Midlands with ‘Alice in VR Wonderland’, a new Virtual Reality experience, at the East Midlands Designer Outlet (25 February – 6 March).

Jasmin Vardimon, internationally famous dance theatre has come up with an immersive experience in partnership with McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Outlets.

‘Alice in VR Wonderland’ is an adaptation of the timeless tale by Lewis Carroll. Using a VR headset and 3D sound, you will be immersed in a 360 degree virtually reality wonderland.

2022 Coffee Concert Series with members of the Hallé!

Tickets are selling fast for this years 2022 Coffee Concert Series with Members of the Hallé. In previous years these events have been a sell out and hugely popular. Get your tickets now to avoid disappointment.

The first of three concerts takes place on Sunday 20th March 2022 at 11:30am, the second on Sunday 24th April and the third on Sunday 22nd May. Coffee and cake is included and served from 11am.

Don't miss out on our Coffee Concert Season Ticket offer, all three concerts for £38 per person. Individual concert tickets are £15 per person per concert.