Musician Laurie Anderson has been announced as the guest director for Brighton Festival 2016.

The event, which will take place on 7-29 May 2016, will be marking its 50th year with a wide range of local, national and international artists.

“I’m so happy to be serving as guest director of Brighton Festival in its historic 50th year,” said Anderson, “our theme of home and place is especially relevant with so many people in the world on the move now looking, like all of us, for a place we can belong. I’ve been part of the Festival several times and it was exciting to watch the city become the heart of so much art. I’m looking forward to being part of it this year.”

Andrew Comben, chief executive of Brighton Festival said: “We are thrilled and honoured to announce such a major international figure as guest director. In our 50th year, it feels right to reflect on the original intentions of the Festival, which from the start were about celebrating international culture, the new and the avant-garde.”

The event will feature a new commission in partnership with 14-18 NOW, a cultural programme marking the centenary of the First World War, and a ‘Books and Debate’ programme in partnership with Guardian Live.

Full programme details for the festival will be announced on 17 February 2016.