The power of culture can help us deliver a better future for Derby

Culture can help deliver a better future for Derby – that was the key message delivered by Tony Butler OBE, executive director of Derby Museums, during his keynote speech at this year’s Annual Business Event.

In his address, Tony, who oversees three of the city’s museums – Derby Museum & Art Gallery, the Museum of Making and Pickford’s House – outlined the crucial role culture plays in our everyday lives.

He also used the opportunity to call for more support for cultural organisations.

He opened his speech by talking about an individual who is key to Derby’s past, present and future – the world-famous 18th century artist, Joseph Wright, who he described as “one of Britain’s greatest painters”.

This year is an important year for Wright – and for Derby.

Wright is currently the subject of a major exhibition at the National Gallery – Joseph Wright of Derby: From the Shadows – with 17 works of the 20 works on show on loan from Derby Museums.

Tony said: “The exhibition has been jointly curated by the National Gallery and our expert team here in Derby, and it has been warmly received by critics and the public alike.

“Many people in this room will have seen it in London, and for those from Derby, it has been a profound source of pride.

“There is no other city in the UK which has such an extensive collection of work by a single major artist.”

Tony said that in June, the From the Shadows exhibition will “return home” – moving to Derby and reuniting some of Wright’s best-known works.

He said: “We are celebrating our Year of Wright – though truthfully, every year is a Wright year in Derby.”

Tony talked about Wright’s life, the birth of Derby Museums and how it built its unrivalled collection of Wright paintings and sketches.

But he also talked about the present – and how Wright’s influence still looms large over the city even today.

He said: “Time Out has named Derby one of the UK’s 14 ‘go-to’ cities for 2026. This exhibition will be a catalyst for visitors, investment and confidence.

“Why does this matter today? Because the story of Wright is also the story of Derby.

“150 years ago, business and civic leaders invested in culture as an expression of confidence and ambition.

“And every new investor or entrepreneur in this city follows in the footsteps of the people Wright painted – Strutt, Arkwright, the Hurts – pioneers who built industries that changed the world.

“Derby has embraced this heritage as a city of innovation and making. In 2021, the Silk Mill reopened as the award-winning Museum of Making, widely regarded as the site of the world’s first factory.

“It tells a story of creativity, engineering, and ingenuity that still defines the city.

“Its success rests on strong partnerships with business. Rolls-Royce sponsors our STEAM learning programmes, connecting heritage with contemporary industry.

“Vaillant supports pathways into engineering. John Smedley helps young people see how Derby’s textile legacy informs sustainable fashion.

“These partnerships show how creativity solves real manufacturing challenges.

“Creative learning builds confidence, empathy, critical thinking, and problem-solving – skills our future workforce will depend on.

“Young people learn that careers are built through networks, curiosity and a portfolio of skills.

“Our programmes help them feel that they belong to a city with a proud identity as a place of innovation.”

Tony also spoke about the £200 million contribution the creative and cultural industries make to Derby’s economy, highlighting the work of organisations such as Dubrek Studios, QUAD and Artcore.

He said: “They are essential to growing our visitor economy and to renewing our city centre as it undergoes fundamental change.

“A city with strong cultural infrastructure is a city at ease with itself. Everyone should be able to access culture close to where they live.

“But we cannot take this for granted. Cultural organisations remain fragile. The closure of Deda was a reminder of that.

“We all have a role to play supporting venues, joining business clubs, donating, hiring spaces and choosing to spend time and money in our city.

“We also need political leadership. Recently, the Secretary of State said that too often the arts are only accessible to a privileged few.

“A new £1.5 billion national investment in culture has been announced – and we must make sure our region receives its fair share.

“Culture connects us, strengthens us, and helps us imagine better futures.

“And when I look into the eyes of Joseph Wright’s portraits, I see a reminder of who we are – a city of ideas, ambition, and creativity.

“That picture isn’t finished. It is still being painted, by all of us, today.”

*The Year of Wright is the cover story for the current edition of Marketing Derby’s Innovate Magazine. To read the feature click here.