Arts Developement agencies

Arts development organisations have an intermediary role between artists and society. They typically work to use and apply the creative arts to help improve opportunities and quality of life in a given location. Some have a central space from which they set up projects, while others are more organic.

They periodically apply for core funding to pay specific staff and run a programme that engages and enables people. Unlike many galleries, they emphasise empowering people rather than profiling artists.

Artcore - Derby

"It is an international centre for contemporary art and creativity based in Derby, UK, and is home to Artcore Gallery, studios and workspaces, and a shop and cafe. A vibrant hub for commissioning, production, presentation and debate, we offer opportunities for diverse audiences to engage directly with creative practices through participation and discussion. At Artcore Gallery, contemporary art and creativity are central to developing people and places. We have an extensive exhibition and residency programme that helps support early, mid-career, and established artists in creating work that deals with pressing social, political, and environmental issues. Each year, we welcome over 4000 people from all sections of the diverse communities of Derby to experience inspiring, innovative and high-quality exhibitions and events. Over 25 years, we have developed links all over the world. This cements a global creative community and helps us support aspiring artists in this contemporary world."

- Artcore Gallery

Artcore Gallery is newly located in Artcore's second building in Derby's City Centre, which opened to the public in August 2019. This is a base of operations for our contemporary art activities. The gallery is a versatile space, and our busy exhibition programme of ten shows each year supports the development of emerging artists from Derby and the East Midlands and features the work of more established UK and International artists.

City Arts - Nottingham, Mission statement

The need for creativity is lifelong and universal. Being creative makes people happier, healthier, empowered and more equal. It brings people together, and it changes lives. Since 1977, we have helped communities and artists create and explore art of all kinds - from music to writing, drawing to dance. We aim to allow everyone to be creative, regardless of who they are or where they're from. City Arts is a charity. We rely on donations, public funding and income from our small venue in Hockley, where we host music, comedy, film and poetry events as well as hands-on workshops and exhibitions. All our income goes into running our programme of arts activities - some of it for the general public, some for particular groups like care home residents or vulnerable young people.

Our Values

City Arts tries to enact the values implied by a rights-based approach to cultural participation in all its work.

Specifically, we expect our work to be:

• Creative - because we make new art from today's ideas and interests
• Respectful - because everyone has the same right to participate in culture.
• Empowering - making art is a way to learn, grow, and strengthen.
• Ambitious - because everyone wants to achieve the best they can.
• Trustworthy - because our work depends on mutual confidence
• Enjoyable - because if art doesn't bring pleasure, it's no use to anyone

These values - CREATE - shape every aspect of our work. They are the foundation against which we assess our performance. They are the values by which we hope others will judge our work.

The team at City Arts

Suzannah Bedford - DIRECTOR

Responsible for the overall running and creative direction of City Arts, Suzannah has over 20 years of experience working in the arts. Her expertise spans all art forms. Suzannah believes people are at the heart of shaping and making new possibilities in the arts. She is passionate about broadening access to the highest quality creative experiences, ensuring that the arts celebrate the diversity we enjoy today.

Alison Denholm - CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Responsible for nurturing new ideas and projects, she focuses on outdoor arts: carnival, street puppetry, festivals, and guests. Her background is in visual arts; she has worked in Nottingham for 20 years. She was on the leadership team for the World Event Young Artist Festival, likes a parade, and has made a set of giant flamingos.

Kate Duncan - PROGRAMME DIRECTOR - WELLBEING

Kate is responsible for arts and wellbeing programmes, manages strategic partnerships, and has extensive experience researching art and wellbeing.

Passionate about creative ageing, Kate produced Armchair Gallery, an app for older people in care. Kate's background is in teaching and arts management.

She's worked in some exciting places.

Joe Pick - MARKETING & AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT

I am responsible for City Arts' design, PR, and online presence. I also research and monitor audiences. Creating art makes Joe's life more enjoyable.

He'd like other people to experience this. He is particularly interested in improving access through design. He made this website. He draws animals.

Alma Solarte-Tobóa - CREATIVE PRODUCER

Supporting young people's participation in City Arts projects. Alma has dedicated most of her career to working with young people. At City Arts, she founded the Express Yourself project, the Young Producers group, and, most recently, ART CLUB. She has also flown a plane.

Joel Stickley - DEPUTY DIRECTOR

Joel is responsible for the day-to-day running of City Arts and managing strategic relationships. His background is in literature and arts management, and his employers include Arts Council England, Nottinghamshire Libraries, and Writing East Midlands. He was a Poet Laureate for Lincolnshire and once won an award at the Cannes Film Festival.

Air Arts - Derby Hospital

Air Arts is the arts charity for Derby Teaching Hospitals. It promotes health and well-being through the arts and arts participation.

Air Arts was established in 2007 with the aim of creating a calm and welcoming environment, providing support and reassurance for patients, staff, and visitors, enhancing the environment, and providing moments of reflection and distraction.

They do this by bringing art, dance, drama, poetry, storytelling, crafts, and music to the corridors, waiting areas, and wards at the Royal Derby and London Road Community Hospitals. They work closely with staff and patients to provide personalised creative activities, support relationships, and improve patient and staff experience.

Exhibitions

Arts presents two exhibitions annually at 50 locations across both hospital sites and hosts temporary guest exhibitions, making us one of the largest hospital art exhibitors in the country.

Commissions

They have several large-scale public art commissions in our collection, which enhance the hospital environment and create a calm and welcoming environment for the 9,000 staff and 2 million visitors at our sites annually.

Gardens

Air arts have developed many creative outdoor spaces in and around the hospitals.

These gardens address many of the needs of a busy hospital environment, contemplation, refreshment, and remembrance.

Engagement

A significant part of the programme is engaging directly with ward patients.

They have four models of an artistic intervention designed with patients and staff to target and reduce boredom, depression, and feelings of anxiety and stress.

Performance

Every week, musicians visit the hospital to perform in the public spaces. Live music transforms the atmosphere and provides a much-needed distraction from worries and anxiety.

Enhancements

Every department and ward in a hospital is different, with different patient needs and space requirements, working closely with staff and patients to positively enhance their areas in accordance with their specific requirements.