New director appointed at Culture Derby
A new director has been appointed at Culture Derby – and has pledged to work with communities to raise Derby’s profile as a creative and cultural city.
Alix Manning-Jones will head up the new strategic development agency to drive the growth and impact of the Derby’s culture and creative sectors. Culture Derby says it will work alongside the sectors as an advocate and champion, building relationships and working to increase investment.
Funded by Arts Council England and Derby City Council for an initial two-year period, Culture Derby stems from the Derby Cultural Compact and the UK City of Culture 2025 bid.
Manning-Jone said: “Culture Derby will create a vibrant city centre, with culture at the heart. We know that the arts are struggling nationally and locally, and it’s important that we support the cultural sector by maintaining their presence through Culture Derby.
“I’m committed to delivering high quality, accessible and enjoyable experiences for everyone, to celebrate our city. This is a shared vision and we’ll be working closely with our communities, partners, and businesses.
“To be able to re-imagine culture in our city, we need to start with listening to our communities and young people and providing opportunities to help shape the programme. I hope to bring a fresh perspective and a new way of working in partnership across all sectors to bring Culture Derby to life.
“Our city needs a cultural beating heart and I’m really looking forward to making that happen.
Manning-Jones has a strong background in the cultural sector. She started her career at the Royal Shakespeare Company and has worked in theatres across the country delivering and producing large-scale festival projects. In 2016 she was appointed as Derby’s cultural education producer and then as Derby’s opportunity area programme manager, co-producing the This is Derby celebration in 2018. Most recently, she has worked at Derby City Council spearheading the city’s Family Hubs programme.
Councillor Nadine Peatfield, leader of Derby City Council, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Alix as Director of Culture Derby. Derby is a city that has always had creativity and innovation at its heart and we believe that every resident and visitor should benefit from the power that arts and culture have to change people’s lives for the better.
“It’s an exciting time in the city, as we look forward to the opening of Becketwell Live and Derby Market Hall. We’re on a mission to create a vibrant hub that celebrates culture and offers something for everyone and I’m excited to work with Culture Derby and our other partners to make that happen.”
