The Light, a new cultural attraction in Durham, England, is opening to the public on 22 August with an exhibition of light art, Durham County Council has announced.
Formerly the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) Museum, The Light is opening following a transformation by award-winning architects Norr.
Its opening exhibition, Victory Over the Sun: Encounters with Light, features works by artists who use light in extraordinary ways, including Tracey Emin, Dan Flavin, Olafur Eliasson, and Chila Burman.
'Switch' (after Dan Flavin) 2026 by Tine Bech
The show will span three galleries in the reimagined building, immersing guests in a range of sensory effects and showcasing the links between light, science and nature.
Additionally, a new permanent exhibition called We Are The Durhams features images, sounds, hands-on activities and sensory experiences, and builds on the venue's military heritage.
The Light also includes dedicated areas for educational and community activities, a café with an outdoor terrace, and flexible spaces for meetings and events.
New cultural space
Tony Guillan, artistic director at The Light, said the project was "a rare opportunity to help shape a new kind of cultural space from the ground up – one that brings contemporary artistic practice into dialogue with history, scientific discovery and technological innovation".
He added: "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."
The Light will be an anchor institution of Durham's proposed hub for investment and innovation. It is also a sister venue to The Story in Durham, which serves as a permanent home for the DLI collection.
The Light, a new cultural attraction in Durham, England, is opening with an exhibition of light art
Councillor Karen Allison said: "By remodelling and extending the existing 1960s building, we have created a modern and spacious venue capable of hosting world-class contemporary exhibitions.
"A dedicated DLI gallery, meanwhile, will bring stories from the regiment to life in ways that have never been possible before."
She added: "Culture and tourism are major contributors to County Durham's economy, bringing in more than £1 billion a year.
"The Light will support this by drawing in more visitors and making us a more attractive place to live, work and invest."
Images courtesy of Durham County Council
