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About Us
Close up photograph of part of the Norman Arch, which was the entrances to the North Hall

Gillian Rennie, PGDip 

Curator (Castle and Colleges) 

Telephone: +44(0)191 334 4139 

Email gillian.rennie@durham.ac.uk 

Overview   

Gill is the Curator of Durham Castle and the Collections held within the University’s Colleges. She is a forward-thinking and dedicated museum professional and is responsible for the care, development and interpretation of the collections to enable academic research and access for local, national and international audiences. 

Biography 

Gill’s career in museums spans over 20 years. She began as Assistant Curator at National War Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh Castle, before becoming Loans Officer for National Museums of Scotland. Gill moved to Newcastle to take up the role of curator at Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children’s Books, where she was promoted to Head of Exhibitions. Gill developed the exhibition programme to a position of excellence and national significance and was presented with an Action for Children’s Arts Members’ Award in recognition in 2017. 

Gill joined the team in 2022 as the Curator of Durham Castle and Colleges. She is currently focussed on the Norman Chapel preservation project and the ensuing reinterpretation of this significant space. Durham Castle is undergoing general structural works over the next two years and Gill is managing the removal, conservation and redisplay of collection items including oil paintings and wall-hung tapestries.  

Gill is a graduate of Strathclyde University and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Museum and Gallery Studies, with Distinction. Her dissertation focussed on War Art, particularly the work of Scottish artist Peter Howson.  

Gill is involved in the development and delivery of undergraduate teaching and postgraduate research at Durham University, working on courses and supervising MA student research of Durham Castle and its collections, as well as providing access and support for faculty-led research. 

 

Research interests 

  • Effective museum interpretation for visitor engagement 
  • New approaches to museum interpretation 
  • Evaluation of museums and exhibitions 

 

Exhibitions  

  • Curated Fragments of History, 950 years of Durham Castle with the Embroiderers’ Guild, April 2023. 
  • Collaborated on Dan Holdsworth: Spatial Objects, July 2023 
  • Curated over 20 interactive exhibitions at Seven Stories that toured nationally and internationally.  

 

Esteem indicators    

  • Member of the Museums Association and the Touring Exhibitions Group 
  • Peer Reviewer with Culture Counts supported by Arts Council England 2018 - 2022