This week we have invited Zephyra Vun, Executive Director of the DQ, to give us some insight into the incredible things the Design Quarter team is doing for downtown Winnipeg through their organization.
By: Zephyra Vun, September 19, 2018
DESIGN QUARTER WINNIPEG is a curated destination experience within a walkable area of central Winnipeg, creating a community of authentic, local retail and design culture. We are a non-profit, member-based organization aimed at providing an accessible resource for design-conscious consumers and local businesses to experience and connect with Winnipeg's central hub of creative and innovative destinations!
Come experience a diverse range of design culture across Winnipeg’s downtown communities, including the historic Exchange District, The Forks, and SHED district. As a design-conscious consumer visiting central Winnipeg (as a local or a tourist), you are able to pick up a map, follow us via social media, visit our website to check out member profiles, blog features, special events, or navigate our interactive, online map via GPS to pinpoint all of the authentic, local, design-driven experiences our city has to offer! You can expect to take in the best in our city's local design retailers/studios, restaurants, fashion boutiques, art galleries, cultural events and much more by participating in the Design Quarter's curated experience. Our connected community of creative retailers and makers are highlighted in this one, navigable and walkable area of diverse design culture.
All of our members are unique, local businesses within our downtown, who embody a strong
focus and leading standard in design culture. They represent the most creative and
authentic, Winnipeg experiences. Having just launched in May 2017, we are already up to 50
members-strong!
Over Design Quarter’s relatively short existence, we have established a strong presence in the downtown community. In addition to a steadily growing membership base, we have hosted several major events including an immersive and interactive pop-up market, member networking events, numerous public and media tours, and an anniversary celebration complete with pop-up lounge, local eats, and live music from inside a shipping container in the Exchange District’s Old Market Square! We have also more recently teamed up with local organizations to promote cultural and design-related events and activities within the Quarter. Collaborating with entities like the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Border Crossings Magazine, The Forks Warming Huts, the Kinship Studio, Mode Shift Festival, and many more allows us to further promote our downtown as an active and vibrant place to be.
Ultimately, the goal of Design Quarter Winnipeg is to create awareness, provide support, and facilitate diverse connections amongst Winnipeg’s talented, creative community. As is evident by the positive response we’ve received, this progressive initiative comes at no better time. It builds off the foundation of Winnipeg’s growing status of an arts, design, and culture hub, the importance of supporting local, and investing in downtown development and walkability.
Design is a culture in and of itself; it is a way of life. Our city and beyond craves exactly what Design Quarter Winnipeg offers - an accessible, consumer-focused perspective of design, and its many integrations and applications. Our long-term goal is to see even more local design entrepreneurs situate themselves in our downtown area, and provide the support needed to thrive. In this cyclical manner, we provide the benefit of an accessible, connective platform to both the public and our unique, Winnipeg businesses. Connecting these different groups fosters the cross-pollination of ideas and collaboration amongst various disciplines integral to innovation.
It is through connection and innovation that Design Quarter Winnipeg hopes to not only ignite, but sustain a dialogue about the importance of design culture in our everyday lives.