Sunderland Culture has new Chief Exec

Published: 12 July 2021
Reporter: Peter Lathan

Rebecca Ball

Sunderland Culture, whose mission is to ‘improve life for everyone in Sunderland through culture’, has appointed Rebecca Ball as its Chief Executive Officer, replacing Keith Merrin, who left earlier this year to take up a role with Tyne and Wear Museums.

Founded through a partnership between Sunderland City Council, University of Sunderland and Sunderland MAC Trust. It is both a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity, Sunderland Culture works across five venues owned by its partners: Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art (NGCA), National Glass Centre, Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, Arts Centre Washington, and The Fire Station, which is due to open its new auditorium later this year.

Rebecca Ball, who was born in Tottenham, has more than 20 years’ experience in the arts, and started her career in dance, running community and education projects before going on to a number of senior roles at Arts Council England (ACE), including Director of Arts for ACE South East.

She came to the North East since 2011 when she was appointed General Manager and Producer at Zendeh, a Newcastle-based theatre company, and in 2014 she was appointed Project Director of The Cultural Spring, an ACE funded project aiming to increase participation in arts and culture in Sunderland and South Tyneside. In 2016, she was chosen to lead Sunderland’s City of Culture bid, later joining Sunderland Culture shortly after it was launched in 2017.

“I have been constantly struck by the energy, determination and talent of people I have worked with in Sunderland,” she said, “so I am thrilled to have this opportunity to continue to collaborate with our fantastic partners, board of trustees and staff. I know we will do everything we can to ensure that everyone can take part in, enjoy and shape arts and heritage in the city.”

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