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FORMAT International Photography Festival returns in March 2023, transforming the city of Derby into a vibrant showcase of the very best photography and lens-based media that represent ‘What Photography Can Be’.
Join us on Friday 9th December at QUAD in Derby to discover the exciting festival programme of exhibitions, events and hear the curator’s presentations. Featuring speeches, slideshows, food, drink and more!
The FORMAT23 press launch will be hosted by FORMAT Director & QUAD Arts Programme Manager, Peter Bonnell and Artist and Educator Gemma Marmalade, with presentations from QUAD CEO – Vivek Malhotra, Museum of Making’s – Janine Derbyshire, University of Derby’s – Huw Davies, Artcore’s – Ruchita Shaika and Marketing Derby’s – John Forkin.
Revealed: Radical Souls – QUAD Main Gallery
Revealed: Derby Punk Archive
Revealed: We Danced in Derby
Revealed: Premiere of Oliver Chanarin’s new work
Revealed: FORMAT23 OPEN Call Finalists
Revealed: Picturing High Streets Outdoor Exhibition
Revealed: FORMAT23 New Commissions
FORMAT23 will feature exhibitions in key Derby cultural organisations such as QUAD, Déda, Artcore and the Museum of Making, alongside revitalising repurposed buildings and public places, celebrating work by a worldwide community of artists. Notable exhibition projects as part of the festival include Radical Souls at QUAD that will focus on global dance genres and notions of self-identity, and one of the first presentations of Oliver Chanarin’s new nationwide commission at the Museum of Making.
Across 12 venues more than 200 artists from 55 countries present works that examine themes that matter now – water scarcity, migration, identity, and the implications of climate change. FORMAT23 will be OPEN to discussion, to debate – and will feature the return of the international Conference and two Portfolio Review days alongside the FORMAT Photobook Market. We invite you to us and shape the photography of now towards a future of what photography can be.
FORMAT is organised by QUAD and DMARC (Digital and Material Artistic Research Centre of the University of Derby) and is supported by Arts Council England, Derby City Council and multiple partners from the UK and abroad.