"
“The benefits Lumiere has
brought to County Durham
cannot be underestimated. We
are awaiting figures for 2019,
but the previous five festivals
delivered a joint economic
boost in excess of £28m."
want to live and visit.
“An awful lot of work goes into staging
an event of this scale and it would not
be possible without the support of local
businesses. By offering sponsorship
opportunities, we can expand the festival
programme, whilst providing a platform for
local businesses to reach an international
audience.”
Lumiere provides a platform to promote
the wider county, encouraging visitors to
stay longer and discover more of Durham as
part of their visit. It also converts travelling
to Durham into an actual visit, providing
those who may have considered Durham as
a potential destination for the future with a
strong reason to make the trip now.
Lumiere raises aspirations and leaves
a lasting legacy through its community
engagement programme. This sees hundreds
of schoolchildren and residents take part in
art activities and contribute to installations
at the festival.
The event provides volunteering
opportunities, with hundreds
of people of all ages signing up
to be festival makers each year,
learning new skills, making
friends and enhancing their
CVs.
At the 2019 festival, there
were 37 installations and projections from
international and local artists working with
light, including some old favourites from
the previous decade, and many lighting up
iconic buildings such as the cathedral.
As well as attracting contributions from
renowned artists from as far as Japan,
Canada, New Zealand and across Europe,
more than 150 local people aged from four
to 85 participated in interactive artwork like
the Keys Of Light by Mr Beam.
Now the ten-year anniversary has been
marked, Artichoke and their many partners
are already looking forward to Lumiere 2021.
Development director Sarah Coop said:
“Since 2009, we have relied on the generous
support of our partners to help us deliver
what has become an unmissable highlight in
the North-East cultural calendar.
“This year’s tenth anniversary edition
of Lumiere Durham was no different, and
truly one to remember. We worked with
over 70 sponsors, from local individuals
to international companies, all to make
Lumiere Durham 2019 a reality.
“The dedication and enthusiasm of our
supporters, old and new, is remarkable and
we’re so proud of what we have achieved
together.
“Our mission to light up the streets of
Durham in the darkness of Winter continues
as we look ahead to Lumiere Durham 2021,
and we hope you’ll join us again on the
journey.”
wear.business – the voice of business for the Wear region
| 21