Why Derby: ‘Why culture matters to Derby’s future’

Tony Butler OBE, executive director at Derby Museums, believes successful cities not only invest in commerce but also cultural life. Here, in his own words, he explains why investing in culture can yield a myriad of benefits to cities like Derby.

A few weeks ago, Derby Museums opened Joseph Wright of Derby: From the Shadows.

The exhibition reunites Wright’s greatest candlelit masterpieces, ‘An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump’ and ‘A Lecture on an Orrery’ in the city where they were painted.

It is the first time in almost 80 years that these remarkable works have been shown together in Derby.

For more than two centuries, Derby has collected Joseph Wright’s work and today cares for the largest collection of his paintings anywhere in the world.

Wright is not simply one of Britain’s greatest artists; he embodies the curiosity, innovation and spirit of the Enlightenment that helped shape Derby into one of the nation’s great manufacturing cities.

His paintings remain a powerful expression of how Derby sees itself: a city of pioneers, makers and creative thinkers.

Culture, however, is about much more than preserving the past.

As the saying goes, life is about more than bread alone – we need roses too.

Culture enriches our lives, broadens our horizons, helps us understand our place in the world and gives us pride in where we live.

The civic leaders who founded Derby’s museums, libraries and cultural institutions in the nineteenth century understood this well.

They recognised that successful cities invest not only in commerce, but in the cultural life that binds communities together.

Culture also makes a significant economic contribution. Research by the University of Derby estimated that the creative and cultural industries contribute more than £200 million annually to the city’s economy.

A thriving cultural offer helps attract talented people to live and work here, something recognised by many of Derby’s leading employers.

Companies such as Rolls-Royce, Vaillant and John Smedley work closely with Derby Museums because they understand that creativity and innovation go hand in hand.

The Museum of Making, housed in the historic Silk Mill, demonstrates this perfectly.

Standing on the site widely regarded as the world’s first factory, it celebrates Derby’s remarkable history of engineering while inspiring the next generation of innovators.

Through partnerships with industry, thousands of young people each year develop not only technical understanding but also creativity, confidence, problem-solving and teamwork – the skills employers increasingly value.

Culture is also fundamental to our wellbeing. Whether attending a theatre performance, visiting a museum, listening to live music, joining a choir or taking part in community arts, cultural experiences improve mental health, reduce isolation and bring people together.

Across Derby, organisations including Derby Theatre, QUAD, Artcore, Hubbub Theatre, Derby Jazz and many independent music venues create opportunities for people of all ages to learn, participate and belong.

As our city centre continues to evolve, culture will become even more important.

Successful city centres are increasingly places where people choose to spend their leisure time rather than simply shop.

Museums, theatres, festivals, exhibitions, music and public events encourage people to visit, spend money in local cafés, restaurants and shops, and stay longer in the city.

Culture creates value far beyond the walls of individual venues.

Yet this cannot be taken for granted. Derby continues to invest below the national average in culture, and many organisations remain financially fragile.

The recent closure of Deda is a reminder that valued institutions can disappear if they are not supported.

Everyone has a part to play. By visiting exhibitions, attending performances, supporting local venues, joining membership schemes, hiring cultural spaces or donating where we can, we invest not only in individual organisations but in the future of Derby itself.

A city with a confident cultural life is a city with confidence in its future.

If we want Derby to remain a place of innovation, creativity and opportunity, then culture must be recognised not as a luxury, but as an essential part of the city’s success.