What are we about?
We’re a consortium of organisations based in the Jewellery Quarter working together to celebrate and strengthen our vibrant communities.
Our Vision: The Common Room programme will ignite creativity and collaboration in the Jewellery Quarter, connecting artists, craftspeople, and businesses to fuel economic growth and amplify the area's unique cultural impact. It will create a thriving, sustainable community at the heart of the JQ through dynamic spaces, events, and research.
Our Mission: To empower Jewellery Quarter businesses, artists, and craftspeople by creating a platform for growth, enhancing their social and economic impact, and attracting new talent to the cluster area.
Our values and guiding principles: The Cultural Action Area (CAA) will deliver economic impact and social impact through a programme which looks to the future and is distinctive, relevant, authentic and promotes the unique skills and expertise found in the JQ as together we:
RE-ANIMATE… strengthen local economy
RE-SHAPE… empower, provide a legacy
OPPORTUNITY… develop skills, improve wellbeing
SUSTAINABILITY… of Jewellery Quarter heritage, local businesses and other groups
STRENGTHEN… reputation and pride
Who are we?
Jewellery Quarter Development Trust
The Jeweller Quarter Development Trust (JQDT) are the lead organisation for the JQ Common Room.
Founded in 2011, the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust (JQDT) is a Community Interest Company dedicated to enhancing the area. With a focus on improving the area's economic well-being, amenities, cultural activities, and overall sense of community, the JQDT brings together local members and directors who volunteer their time to support these goals.
Over the years, the JQDT has driven significant investment and led key initiatives, including managing the Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement District (JQBID) from 2012-2022, securing £2 million in funding for the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Townscape Heritage scheme, and spearheading the Jewellery Quarter Neighbourhood Plan—a vision for the area's development over the next decade.
Birmingham City University School of Jewellery
The School of Jewellery at Birmingham City University is dedicated to nurturing the creativity and craftsmanship behind extraordinary objects. With a unique approach to learning, they offer a rich blend of hands-on experience and academic excellence. As the only institution to bring together jewellery, horology, and gemmology under one roof, they honour both traditional skills of the area and cutting-edge technology. Their students are encouraged to think creatively, designing and crafting with a deep understanding of the profession’s past and its future.
With over 130 years of history, the School of Jewellery is an institution of unrivalled experience where students are empowered to push artistic boundaries and shape the industry's future. They are an integral part of the JQ.
Quartermasters
Quartermasters is a collective of three makers Tina, a tapestry maker; Kirsty, a laser-cut jewellery maker; and Deborette, a leatherworker and Haddle the bicycle. While each has their own individual business, the collective believes in the power of collaboration to champion locally made, independently bought goods. They create opportunities to showcase the work of local creatives through pop-ups, trade shows, maker markets, and festival collaborations, fostering a sense of community around craftsmanship.
In addition to their individual crafts, Quartermasters run workshops, lead community art projects, and support other creatives with business development. They are dedicated to being an open door for artists and makers across the West Midlands, elevating the profile of locally made and independently designed goods and helping to embed them into the region's culture.
Stryx Gallery
Stryx Gallery is a dynamic contemporary art space dedicated to showcasing innovative and thought-provoking work. With a focus on emerging artists, the gallery offers a platform for creative experimentation and dialogue, fostering a space where diverse artistic practices can thrive. From visual arts to multimedia installations, Stryx highlights both local and international talent, providing an engaging environment for visitors to experience new perspectives and cutting-edge works.
Beyond its exhibitions, Stryx Gallery also serves as a vibrant hub for community engagement, hosting workshops, talks, and events that connect artists with the public. By cultivating a sense of collaboration and creativity, the gallery plays a key role in the cultural development of the Jewellery Quarter and Birmingham at large, contributing to the city’s growing reputation as a cultural hotspot. Stryx is more than just a gallery—it's a space for exploration, connection, and artistic growth.
The Hive
The Hive is a vibrant community hub situated in Birmingham's historic Jewellery Quarter, housed within the grade II listed New Standard Works building. It features an award-winning vegetarian organic café and bakery, craft workshops, exhibitions, and versatile event spaces. As part of the Ruskin Mill Trust family, The Hive integrates students from Argent College, who gain practical experience by participating in the café and public engagement programs.
Committed to sental responsibility, The Hive offers free entry to all exhibitions and public spaces, along with a variety of free, paid, and 'pay as you feel' activities. Operating from Tuesday to Friday, it serves as an inclusive space for makers, creatives, and the broader community. Additionally, The Hive's heritage program, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, enriches the cultural landscape of the area.