Introducing QDS Lab: A New Way to Learn & Lead in Cultural Placemaking

QDS Lab offers a tailored, hands-on approach to cultural district development, whether through immersive workshops, expert toolkits, strategic advisory, or deep-dive consulting. Each engagement equips you with proven insights, tools, and strategies to activate public spaces and strengthen cultural ecosystems.

QDS Lab is led by cultural industries strategist Jacquelyn West, whose career spans international cultural development, public space activation, and major creative industry initiatives. With over 15 years of experience across Toronto, Chicago, Montreal, and London, she has helped shape cultural hubs, lead public art programs, and advise governments on cultural policy. Backed by the renowned ecosystem of experts at Quartier des Spectacles, QDS Lab brings world-class knowledge to every project.

Recently, Jacquelyn collaborated as Editor with the Canadian Urban Institute to create Let’s Talk About Placemaking—a magazine-style publication featuring 100+ placemaking projects and ideas from across Canada and beyond. It highlights how communities are transforming spaces, from repurposing parking lots to embedding arts in urban design.

Jacquelyn West
Senior Advisor / Public Realm and Project Development
514 879-0009
jwest@qdsinternational.com