Rebecca Ball, Sunderland Culture’s Chief Executive since 2021, has been appointed Arts Council England’s new Area Director, North, and will take up her new role in August.
Durham-born Nick became Chief Executive at Redhills in February 2022 after four years of developing the project as programme manager.
He was previously a founding director of regeneration organisation Empty Shop CIC, and held cultural development roles with Durham County Council and New Writing North.
His experience in the culture and heritage sectors also includes work with the Lumiere Festival, the regeneration of Hartlepool’s historic Church Street and the Lindisfarne Gospels exhibition in Durham.
Nick completed a BA in sociology and cultural studies at Manchester Metropolitan University and then a masters degree in cultural regeneration at the University of Liverpool. He grew up in Durham City in a family with a long history of coal mining.
Music was Nick’s first love, and his passion was ignited by gigs and concerts in Sunderland.
He 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 brilliants artists, venues and organisations is irresistible. The culture of ambition in Sunderland is there to be seen for all, I can’t wait to get to work on behalf of the whole area at such an exciting time.”
Jane Earl, Chair of Sunderland Culture Board, said: “Sunderland Culture Board is delighted to announce that following an extensive recruitment process we have offered the role of Chief Executive of Sunderland Culture to Nick Malyan.
“Nick has spent his career championing and improving access to the region’s culture. From a region-wide welcome for the return of the Lindisfarne gospels in 2013 and illuminating opportunities for local communities and artists at Lumiere, to turning empty shops into local culture hubs, Nick’s practice is at once strategic and grounded.
“Nick’s work marries the ambition and scale of the big vision with the grassroots power of personal engagement.
“As a board, we are looking forward to working with Nick to take forward the significant legacy left by Rebecca and to build on our mission of improving the life of everyone in Sunderland through culture.
“I’m grateful to all our partners who supported us in this recruitment process, and in our continuing work, and am excited about the next stages in our development.”
Created in 2016, Sunderland Culture brings together its own team with staff from
Sunderland City Council and University of Sunderland to deliver a programme of exhibitions, performances, learning and participation, audience development, marketing and communications across various programme and venues.
The organisation comprises the three main funders of arts provision in the city, Sunderland City Council, University of Sunderland and Sunderland Music, Arts and Culture (MAC) Trust. Sunderland Culture is funded by Arts Council England through the National Portfolio, and with support from public funding schemes and charitable trusts and foundations.