Arts Derbyshire’s Manifesto states that the arts are a powerful tool for change, have the power to heal, inspire, connect and transform, and should be for all people regardless of background or circumstance; that we are committed to working collaboratively with organisations, and to supporting artists and showcasing their work; that we aim to promote the arts, inspire change and make a positive impact on the world. This manifesto encapsulates our vision, mission and practice and has been the perfect frame for a very busy, positive and productive year.
2024 – 25 has seen not only vital strategic development and consolidation, and vital work in fund-raising and organisational development, but also preparation for, and delivery of, inspirational and inclusive activity throughout the county. We are proud to be have been selected to deliver hub management for the Derbyshire Makes programme, which has enabled us to build partnerships across the county, whilst effectively tackling behind-the-scenes operational and logistical detail in each hub area. It has been hugely positive to work collaboratively with arts organisations from Swadlincote in the south, to Glossop and Bolsover in the north, to create locally inspired participatory programmes, and this has enabled our vision to build a culturally connected county. Additionally, we have loved seeing people of all ages within each community, including schools and special interest groups, coming to take part in art and creativity for themselves, and work with artists to create art which reflects their community’s history and cultural heritage.
Within our New Horizons programme we have facilitated regular networking events across the county, enabling creative organisations and artists to connect and share experience and skills – it has been fabulous to see how our local organisations come together to learn from one another and support each other, especially in this very challenging time for the arts. Alongside the vibrant Arts Derbyshire website we continue to publish regular and highly informative e-newsletters which provide key information on the professional arts sector, what’s on and how the public can get personally involved.
We actively look out for new opportunities for collaborative projects to boost our creative communities – Festivity represents a great opportunity to not only support Derbyshire artists and promote the wonderful work that is happening across the county, but also to create unique cultural experiences in new and unexpected venues. We have been really excited to develop the artist showcase and celebrate the range and quality of work made in Derbyshire through the Festivity programme.
Our Creative Health programme seeks to work with people in Derbyshire who have health and wellbeing challenges, less access to creativity, or experience disadvantage. We are proud to see the publication of the Social Prescribing focused “Living Newspaper”, and are looking forward to the implementation of our new Creatives in Place programme, that will work in partnership with the Primary Care Trust to give people access through local health centres to creative practise for wellbeing outcomes.
Arts Derbyshire has a fantastic, hard-working and dedicated professional team, and a proactive and committed Board of Trustees, both of which contain a wealth of experience, understanding, knowledge, skill and inspiration. As Chair of the Board I would like to thank everyone involved for their exceptional input throughout the year, in both areas of exciting organisational development and innovative programming, especially in this time when arts and culture are being challenged by wider issues.
In particular, I would like to sincerely thank our Director Stephen Munn and Operations Manager Hannah Barker for their unwavering commitment and dedication, and their inspirational leadership and management; and also retiring Trustees Emma Oaks and Sanjoy Sen for their much appreciated work and individual contributions to the Board. We are very pleased to welcome new Trustees Anna Malik, Mary Muir, and trainee Sanjana Srinivasan to the Board and welcome back Kalila Storey from Maternity Leave, all whom bring substantial experience and insight from their varied professional practise.
Our core values are to be accessible, creative, collaborative, ambitious and responsive and we are proud to recognise that our work this year has upheld these principles. We are looking forward to enabling a creative, connected and inspirational year of participatory and professional work in 2025 – 26, celebrating the unique and transformative value of the arts throughout our county, and to making a positive impact on Derbyshire people’s lives.
Deborah Hedderwick
Chair, Arts Derbyshire
Click to see our 2024/25 Annual Report
Click to see our 2023/24 Annual Report
Click to see our 2022/23 Annual Report
Click below to see our 2021/22 Annual Report
Our formal report is also available on the Charity Commission website here – Accounts and annual returns, ARTS DERBYSHIRE – 1184423, Register of Charities – The Charity Commission
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