Our Story

QUAD's History

QUAD first opened on Friday 26 September 2008, born out of a partnership between two well established Derby organisations, Metro Cinema & Q Arts. Metro Cinema opened on Green Lane (the original site of the Derby Central School of Art) in January 1981. It was the first independent outside of London cinema with an excellent reputation of bringing the best of world cinema to Derby. Q Arts was established in 1998, building on the foundations of Derby Community Arts, which itself had twenty years heritage and collaborated with thousands of Derby people.

• We have welcomed over 3.5 million visitors through our doors
• We have shown over 200 exhibitions and 4000 films
• We have contributed over 70 million pounds to the local economy
• We established FORMAT International Photography Festival which is now the UK’s leading festival devoted to lens-based media

September 2008

QUAD opened to the public

September 2009

Actor Sir John Hurt visits QUAD and becomes our first patron

September 2010

Dame Joan Bakewell attends Objects Of Delight exhibition opening

September 2011

QUAD launches Summer Nights Outdoor Film Festival

September 2011

Photographer Joel Meyerwitz attends FORMAT International Photography Festival

September 2011

Film Director Ken Loach attends QUAD for post-film Q+A

September 2012

Actor Jack O'Connell becomes a patron

September 2016

Actor Ben Kingsley visits QUAD for Derby Film Festival

September 2018

QUAD Celebrates its tenth birthday

September 2018

BBC Children In Need broadcasts live from QUAD

September 2020

QUAD closes due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

September 2021

QUAD fully reopens to the public

A Leading Centre For Art & FIlm

Accessible to all, QUAD’s varied cultural offer encourages growth, development and wellbeing for audiences, enabling access to the arts for a wide range of abilities and interests. Friendly and informed staff provide a welcome to all in a space for anyone to engage and connect.

Exhibitions

QUAD’s Artistic programme includes local, national and internationally significant exhibitions, commissions and residencies. We showcase work by local artists and students from University of Derby and beyond alongside professional practice opportunities and mentoring support for early and mid-career artists. Our regular programme of educational and creative wellbeing-focused workshops complement a range of contextual talks and events throughout the year. QUAD’s programme includes FORMAT International Photography Festival, one of the UK’s leading festivals of photography and related media.

Cinema

QUAD’s film and cinema programme shows the best in Independent, International and Hollywood cinema as well as event cinema such as NT Live. We aim to nurture talent by showcasing regional filmmakers and offering regular introductions, Q&As and film courses.

Education

We provide creative participatory and learning opportunities for people in a welcoming and supportive environment for visitors and participants of all ages. We collaborate and work in partnership to deliver activities that have made a positive impact on people’s lives. Our education, learning and participation programmes involves local and regional communities in innovative arts programmes to develop skills, engage and contribute to contemporary culture.

Digital

QUAD champions the creative development of emergent digital technologies including AR, VR, AI, game engine, projection mapping and interactive media.

QUAD Is A Registered Independent Charity

We receive funding to support our charitable aims from a variety of sources including Arts Council England, the British Film Institute and Derby City Council. All profits from commercial activities including ticket and Café Bar sales are re-invested in the programme and infrastructure.

Patrons

QUAD’s first Patron was the late Sir John Hurt CBE; current Patrons include: Paddy Considine, John Tams, Jack O’Connell, Hetain Patel, Dr. Jo Twist, Paul Carr and Molly Windsor.