QUAD Derby - QUAD Youth Forum

QUAD Youth Forum

QUAD's Youth Forum is a group of 14 - 19 year olds, who were recruited from around Derby and the surrounding area to help contribute to the development of QUAD in it's exciting opening year and beyond. The group meet regularly to discuss aspects of QUAD, work on their own art work and act as a sounding board for the rest of the organisation.

2008 was a year full of activity and new experiences for the Youth Forum, we have...

• Developed skills in photography
• Spent time with professional artists, gaining knowledge, learning about career pathways
• Learnt about QUAD and thought about how the building can work for young people
• Helped to build a giant puppet!
• Been part of Bill Drummond's The17
• Been part of the launch at QUAD; interviewed members of the public, taken video and stills footage of the event.
• Made a short film about the city which was screened on the Derby BBC Big Screen
• Two of the group visited the Houses of Parliament, as part of the Portrait of a Nation Project
• Visited Liverpool and been part of a national exhibition with 16 other cities around the country as part of the Portrait of a Nation Project.
• Completed an Arts Award scheme and gained 6 Bronze Awards.
• Helped as volunteer artists in public Creative Workshops
• Gained confidence in our skills and encouragement from each other

During 2009 we have been doing...

• January - March 2009: Chronicles of QUAD, scrap book that documents the activities of the Youth Forum since it began.

• We had a photography exhibition space at Derby Art Gallery, as part of FORMAT 09

• March - June 2009: Ceramics workshops based on Angela Verdon's installation in QUAD entrance hall.

• July: Youth Forum recruit new Youth Forum co-ordinator replacing Barbara Lambourne

• July - November 2009: QUADMOS: we generated idea about recognising the year of astronomy and the 40th anniversary of the moon landing and the 400th anniversary of Joseph Wright's Orary. QUADMOS was an integral part of the arts and participation season in QUAD, the project aimed to involve young people from different areas in Derbyshire in creating a planet that represented their area in order to express their likes/dislikes, what would you change? Facts and figures e.g population, history etc. Collectively these planets made the QUADMOS system which became a conversation piece for young people to discuss different elements of living in Derbyshire.

• 26th September: QUAD’s Patron John Hurt CBE met the Youth Forum, and had a tour of the QUADMOS.

• November 2009 - present: Fusion: Fusion is a young person’s project that will see a collaboration between QUAD Youth Forum and newly formed Derby Museum & Art Gallery Youth Forum, working together to create inspiring opportunities through arts, culture and heritage. Fusion will look to develop young audiences from the age of 14-25 years at QUAD, Déda and Derby Museum & Art Gallery. This project will see a number of activities such as creating a film making tour that can be seen through the websites, it will also post a young person’s critique circle that will review contemporary dance performances, film screenings and gallery exhibitions. This joint project will accumulate in Summer 2010, a youth inspired arts and culture festival, celebrating all things creative for Derby's young people.

Quotes from members of the group:

"Wahoo! Finally the launch of QUAD, my second home! I got to do film work, which is what I wanted to do. QUAD has given me so many opportunities, I love it." Lily

"I hope to continue going to QUAD Youth Forum, as I feel I have learnt new things like how to make a film, or to take photos. I have also made some new friends. I am going to take what I have learnt at QUAD and maybe use it in the future or even for a career!" Kim

"I first became interested in photography when we had a workshop at QUAD. I realised I loved it, and I was quite good... I asked for a digital camera for my birthday. I decided to take it to show my Grandma at her residential home. She loved it so much... each time I go and visit her it is a fight as to who uses the camera. Through teaching her to use the camera, our relationship has strengthened because we have a common interest." Victoria

"I would like to have more experience in filmmaking and animation. I also want to learn more about 3D sculpting. I would like the Youth Forum to continue and see it play a part in QUAD." Luke

"As well as helping to develop my own skills, QUAD has helped me to pass on what I have learnt to other people." Lauren

For more information on the QUAD Young People's Panel, please contact:

QUAD Youth Forum Coordinator on Tel: 01332 285425 or email janr@derbyquad.co.uk

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