Muckle supports gallery move to Culture House
The Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art (NGCA) has taken up residence in one of the region’s most exciting new cultural venues.
The NGCA opened the doors to its new home at Culture House – a dynamic new cultural hub in the heart of Sunderland. The longest-established contemporary art gallery in the North East, the NGCA moves into the new building, which also houses a library, exhibition and events space, restaurant, bar and podcast studio.
NGCA, is owned by the University of Sunderland, and the university called on Muckle to help secure the lease for a space in this exciting new facility, positioning it at the cultural heart of the city.
A showcase for northern art
The move underlines the university’s broader commitment to embedding arts and culture in its academic and civic mission. The gallery aims to connect more people with high-quality contemporary art on their doorstep. It will also provide a high-profile platform for students and staff to exhibit their work, to collaborate with other artists, and gain professional experience.
The gallery, which opened its doors on 12 September, welcomed more than 10,000 visitors in its first week. It kicked off with an exhibition by Sunderland-born artist Audrey Amiss, herself a graduate of the Sunderland College of Art (which later become part of University of Sunderland) and included previously unseen works. The exhibition launches the start of an ambitious programme for the season ahead.
The new facility on the second floor of Culture House offers a dynamic and adaptable space for exhibitions, learning and collaboration, helping strengthen the ties between education, culture and the city.
A new home for culture
The newly opened centre promises a huge boost to the cultural life of the region with the potential to unlock a host of new opportunities across sectors.
The spaces in the new building are designed around creating connections to the communities of Sunderland. The hope is that it will provide a focus for culture in the city and serve as a key regional asset, attracting potential investment while championing artistic talent from the region.
Long-standing partnership
Muckle has long been a trusted partner of the University of Sunderland. In 2024 the firm helped the university with a major expansion into a new London-based campus near Canary Wharf. The expansion came on the back of more than a decade of continuous growth to the student population at our London campus.
The latest move into Culture House underscores the university’s commitment to strengthening ties between education, creativity and the city’s cultural life.
Deborah Lazenby, partner at Muckle, has worked with the university for over a decade and said:
“It was great to support the university as they move NGCA to its new home. Culture House is such an exciting new venue and with the new lease in place, the gallery’s future is secure and promises to go from strength to strength.”
She was supported in the work by Senior Associate Kate Rickett and trainee, Lauren Gibson.
For more information please contact Deborah Lazenby on 0191 211 7974 or email [email protected]