Industry News

Durham City’s newest cultural venue has announced an ambitious programme of events, talks, performances and creative experiences guaranteed to brighten up the dark nights ahead.

Inspired by its inaugural exhibitions, We Are The Durhams: The Durham Light Infantry Exhibition and Victory Over the Sun: Encounters with Light, The Light’s autumn/winter programme invites audiences of all ages to explore art, history, imagination and creativity.

From live music and networking events to creative workshops for adults and a book club with a twist, the Durham County Council venue is quickly establishing itself as a must-visit destination for culture, creativity and community.

The Light opened to the public in Aykley Heads last month, with more than 5,000 people visiting in the opening week alone. Visitors enjoyed an unforgettable programme of activities to celebrate the launch, and the response to both exhibitions and the venue as a whole has been overwhelmingly positive.

The fun experiences and creative opportunities will continue throughout autumn and winter, including a weekly programme of events that will establish Thursday evenings as a regular fixture in the region’s cultural calendar.

After Dark, meanwhile, will bring together exhibitions, live performances, music, food, installations and more on the first Friday night of the month.

Families can also enjoy a host of daytime activities, including a week of creative workshops during October half-term, and Sensory Saturdays, regular artist-led sessions and sensory play experiences for younger children.

Cllr Karen Allison, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street, said: “The autumn/winter programme reflects our ambition to create opportunities for people of all ages to connect with culture in meaningful ways. We want The Light to become a part of people’s everyday lives – whether that be as a place to view amazing exhibitions and explore new creative pursuits or as somewhere to catch up with friends.

“We’re delighted the venue has already welcomed thousands of visitors. County Durham’s visitor economy is worth more than £1.5 billion a year and The Light is helping to boost this further, while raising our profile as a vibrant county to live, work, visit and invest.”

Highlights of the autumn/winter programme include:

Thursday Evenings at The Light

• The Salon – The North East’s Creative Social: Curated by Create North, in partnership with The Light, The Salon invites artists, musicians, performers, writers, designers, filmmakers, producers, makers and other creatives to an evening of conversation, ideas and connection. First Thursday of the month, from 1 October.
• Making History – History, memory and culture in conversation: This monthly series of talks, screenings, tours and discussions explores the relationship between history, heritage, art and culture. Inspired by We Are The Durhams: The Durham Light Infantry Exhibition, it examines how the past is interpreted, represented and reimagined through literature, film, television, photography, public art, music and popular culture. Second Thursday of the month, from 10 September.
• I don’t want to grow up – Creative workshops for adults: Through creative workshops, making sessions and artist-led activities, adults are encouraged to experiment, create and rediscover the joy of making. Third Thursday of the month from 17 September.
• The Light Lounge – Live music and drinks after work: Enjoy cocktails, conversations and live performances as The Light café transforms into The Light Lounge. Third and fourth Thursday of the month from 17 September.
• Tomorrow’s Library – Not your average book club: From visionary novels and speculative fiction to groundbreaking science, philosophy and cultural criticism, Tomorrow’s Library explores the ideas, inventions and creative works that have shaped the way people understand the future. Fourth Thursday of the month from 22 October.

After Dark

These monthly late-night events invite visitors to explore exhibitions in a new atmosphere, with each edition co-curated by a leading artist, musician, filmmaker or creative collaborator. Featuring art, music, performance, food, drink and more, After Dark will light up the first Friday of the month.

The first three editions are curated with creatives involved in Victory Over The Sun. Look out for Tine Bech on 2 October, Liz West on 6 November and Neon Workshops on 4 December.

Running until Sunday 17 January, Victory Over the Sun: Encounters with Lightbrings together groundbreaking works by artists who use light in extraordinary ways, including Tracey Emin, Dan Flavin, Olafur Eliasson, and Chila Burman. It explores light as both subject and material, sparking questions of perception, nature and the cosmos.

We Are The Durhams is a permanent exhibition that builds upon the venue’s military heritage to tell a deeply human story of identity, belonging and community through fascinating objects, images, sounds and hands-on activities.

Entry to The Light and We Are The Durhams is free. To book tickets for Victory Over The Sun and autumn/winter events, visit www.thelightdurham.org.uk

To stay up to date with the latest news and events, follow @thelightdurham on Facebook and Instagram.