County Durham cultural venue appoints new artistic director

The Light, County Durham’s new cultural venue, has appointed experienced curator and producer Tony Guillan as artistic director ahead of its opening this summer.

Developed by Durham County Council, The Light will combine contemporary art, immersive experiences and exhibitions with local history, science and technology, creating a new cultural destination for the North East.

Tony brings more than 15 years’ experience across leading cultural institutions including Tate, Southbank Centre, Imperial War Museums and Coventry UK City of Culture.

Most recently, he led Southbank Centre’s Arts Technology programme, commissioning innovative digital and immersive projects exploring new forms of storytelling and performance.

Tony said: “I’m incredibly excited to be joining The Light ahead of its opening this summer.

“It’s a rare opportunity to help shape a new kind of cultural space from the ground up, bringing together artists, audiences and ideas in ambitious and unexpected ways.

“County Durham and the wider North East have a rich cultural identity, a proud history of innovation and distinctive contemporary voices that deserve a nationally prominent platform.

“I’m looking forward to working with local and international partners to bring new cultural experiences to the region, supporting artists to experiment and creating opportunities for audiences to engage with a diverse range of stories and perspectives that reflect the ideas shaping our world today.”

Based at Aykley Heads in the former Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery building, The Light will also feature a permanent DLI gallery, café, event spaces and landscaped grounds as part of Durham’s wider Innovation District plans.

Councillor Karen Allison, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street, added: “Tony brings an exciting combination of creative ambition, curatorial expertise and collaborative leadership to The Light at a pivotal moment for the venue.

“His experience working across internationally recognised cultural organisations and pioneering immersive projects will help establish The Light as a major new cultural destination for the North East.

“We’re delighted to welcome him to the team as we prepare to open the venue later this year.”

Want your business, product or service to be seen regionally and nationally? Bdaily helps you get your story in front of the right audience, every day. Find out how Bdaily can help →

Join more than 55,000 subscribers by signing up to our daily bulletin each morning here.