QUAD Derby

QUAD has appointed three new members of staff, an Education Officer and two Participation Curators.

Jen Ohlson has been appointed as the new Education Officer, covering Maternity Leave. Jen was one of the co-ordinators for FORMAT International Photography Festival in Derby and previously at South London Gallery as a Fourth Plinth Education Project Co-ordinator, delivering education projects with schools and community groups. She has also worked at Greenhouse Charity, a young people's charity; The Sorrell Foundation and as a Lecturer in Art and Design at Leeds College of Art and Design. Her experience specialises in engaging young people in creative media-focused projects and facilitating and delivering creative workshops in galleries for schools and community groups.

Debbie Cooper and Sophie Powell have been appointed as Participation Curators. Debbie and Sophie, who will job share the role, have both already worked for QUAD on Participation projects as freelance artists, on 'Shoot Derby' Photography project as part of Derby Festé and 'Mapping Derby' project as part of FORMAT International Photography Festival. Together they have over twenty years of combined experience in adult education and participation; museum and gallery education participation; mass participation projects; as well as early years education, national curriculum, key stages and SEN for all ages. Debbie and Sophie are both exhibiting artists working with digital creative media and have both curated successful exhibitions and events.

Debbie also runs a weekly creative workshop for young parents, called Listen Love Learn in QUAD and was also one of the artists exhibiting in 'Never Let Me Go' exhibition at QUAD in January and February.

Adam Buss, QUAD's Deputy Director said: "All three of the new appointments bring fantastic skills, energy and passion for the arts to these positions. All have responsibility for driving input and engagement from people from all communities and will help to fulfil QUAD's ambition of making art and film accessible to all."