The second season of a tourism initiative to showcase art and culture across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire (D2N2) is now officially open, thanks to part-funding from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
The Grand Tour looks to bring together new and classical artworks across the D2N2 area and has been split into two seasons, the first of which ran from July to September of last year (2015) and the second of which was opened today at Derby Museum and Art Gallery. It has also been given £35,000 funding from the D2N2 LEP.
D2N2 is a partnership of businesses, local authorities, skills and training providers and community and voluntary organisations. It works to improve the economies of Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, with the overall target of creating 55,000 jobs in ten years. D2N2 identified the visitor economy as a key sector in its Strategic Economic Plan and is working with other organisations on the Grand Tour initiative, including Chatsworth House, Derby Museums, The Harley Gallery, Nottingham Contemporary, Experience Nottinghamshire, Marketing Peak District and Derbyshire, Arts Council England and VisitEngland.
The first season of the Grand Tour ran from July to September 2015 at Chatsworth House, Derby Museums, Nottingham Contemporary and The Harley Gallery and featured work from contemporary artist Pablo Bronstein and architect Rem Koolhaas. Joseph Wright‘s previously lost paintings were also displayed prior to their conservation.
The second season of the Grand Tour will operate from the same venues as before, featuring works from Turner Prize winner Simon Starling, contemporary artists Sir Peter Blake – best known for co-creating the sleeve design for the Beatles‘ album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – and Rose English. There is also an exhibition drawing on Joseph Wright’s original Grand Tour in Italy as well as a fringe programme of 12 additional events.
A programme of the main events is available below:
The additional fringe events were made possible thanks to LEP funding and comprise culinary, musical and performing arts experiences including a miniature golf course designed by leading artists at the New Art Exchange (2 April – 19 June) and Simon Starling’s film installation and exhibition at Backlit Gallery (19 March – 26 June), situated close to his major solo show at Nottingham Contemporary.
David Ralph, Chief Executive of the D2N2 LEP, said:
“The visitor economy is one of the eight key business sectors we’ve identified as having potential for growth and expansion in the region, and The Grand Tour is a great example of how an innovative idea and strong partnership work can help bring new visitors to the region.”
For more information on the Grand Tour, click here
For more information on D2N2 Key Sectors, click here
