An experienced curator and producer has been appointed to lead a new cultural venue ahead of its opening this summer.
Tony Guillan is the new artistic director of The Light, Durham County Council’s latest cultural venue and tourist attraction in Durham City.
Bringing together contemporary art and creativity with local history, scientific discovery and technological innovation, The Light will explore the most important ideas of our time through an ambitious programme of exhibitions, events, immersive experiences and new commissions.
The venue represents a major investment in creativity, culture and community, providing a place for innovation to thrive, for people to gather and for artists to collaborate, while also creating a new cultural and tourist destination for the North East.
Located at Aykley Heads, The Light occupies the former home of the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery, which has been transformed into a contemporary cultural space capable of hosting world-class exhibitions. A dedicated DLI Gallery will also celebrate County Durham’s military heritage and connect it with new audiences.
Tony brings more than 15 years’ experience working across museums, festivals and major cultural institutions, with a practice focused on immersive visual and performing arts, digital culture and emerging forms of storytelling.
His career spans work for organisations including Tate, Imperial War Museums, The Space, Coventry UK City of Culture, Artangel and Southbank Centre.
Most recently, Tony initiated Southbank Centre’s Arts Technology programme, developing new commissions, partnerships and public programming exploring the potential of digital and immersive formats for storytelling and performance.
Before that, as curator of digital and immersive arts for Coventry UK City of Culture 2021, he led a major commissioning programme exploring the creative potential of emerging technologies. Projects included the internationally acclaimed virtual reality documentary experience In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats by Darren Emerson; and Observations on Being by Marshmallow Laser Feast, a landmark public artwork exploring connections between heritage, nature, science and public space.
Across his career, Tony has shaped world-first museum projects, pioneered new approaches to presenting cross-artform work in the public realm, and developed programmes enabling creative businesses, community organisations and young people to experiment with creative tools and technologies.
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.”
Cllr Karen Allison, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street, said: “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.”
The main construction phase of The Light was completed last month, with work now underway on the interior fit-out, including a permanent DLI exhibition and the venue’s first temporary exhibition inspired by the North East’s relationship with light. Further details about the opening programme will be announced soon.
The Light will also feature a café and facilities for hosting private events and conferences, along with beautiful natural grounds for visitors to explore, play and reflect.
The Light’s location, at the heart of Aykley Heads, will also make the venue an anchor institution of Durham’s Innovation District. Acting as a meeting place and a creative hub, it will support the game-changing ambitions of the new district and play a key part in the sustainable growth of the site.
Visit www.thelightdurham.org.uk and follow the venue on Facebook and Instagram @thelightdurham.To find out more about career opportunities at The Light, visit www.durham.gov.uk/workingatthelight.
