New Chief Executive for Sunderland Culture

It has been announced that NICK MALYAN will join Sunderland Culture as Chief Executive. He will take up the role in September.

He succeeds REBECCA BALL, who leaves after three years to become Arts Council England's new Area Director, North.

Created in 2016, Sunderland Culture is an ACE National Portfolio Organisation that brings together the city's three main arts funders -Sunderland City Council, the University of Sunderland and Sunderland Music, Arts and Culture Trust – to deliver exhibitions, performances, learning and participation, audience development, marketing and communications.

Chief Executive of heritage charity Durham Miners’ Hall since February 2022, Malyan was previously a founding Director of regeneration organisation Empty Shop and held cultural development roles with Durham County Council and New Writing North.

His work in the culture and heritage sectors also includes the Lumiere Festival, the regeneration of Hartlepool’s historic Church Street, and the Lindisfarne Gospels exhibition in Durham.

Speaking of his appointment, Malyan said: “I’m beyond excited to be taking on a role that celebrates and amplifies the city’s vibrant, creative, distinctive culture." 

“The opportunity to lead Sunderland Culture and work in such a passionate and creative city with brilliant artists, venues, and organisations is irresistible. The culture of ambition in Sunderland is there to be seen by all."

JANE EARL, Chair of the Sunderland Culture, credited Malyan with spending his career "championing and improving access to the region’s culture," adding that his work "marries the ambition and scale of the big vision with the grassroots power of personal engagement".