The Welsh Government is providing additional funding to ensure
Wales' cultural institutions are protected and preserved, with
£3.2m earmarked this financial year for repairs to be carried out
to both the National Museum Cardiff and National Library of Wales
in Aberystwyth.
Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice, , has said the Welsh
Government has listened to concerns regarding the intense
financial pressures on all cultural institutions – at a national
and local level - and acted to mitigate these difficulties.
In addition, the Cabinet Secretary has confirmed £500,000 to help
improve storage facilities and protect important collections at
local and independent museums and archives which tell the stories
of communities across Wales.
Funding will also continue to be invested in the redevelopment of
Amgueddfa Cymru's Llanberis site, which will create opportunities
for greater and improved access in North Wales to the national
collection.
The dispersed model for a National Contemporary Art Gallery will
provide increased access to the national collection and bring
contemporary art closer to communities through a network of nine
galleries already established across Wales. More of Wales'
collections will also be provided through the Celf ar y Cyd
website.
The immediate priority of protecting and preserving cultural
institutions and their collections means investing in an anchor
gallery for the National Contemporary Art Gallery for Wales and
Museum of North Wales will not be possible at this time.
The Welsh Government continues to invest in the significant
redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd in Flintshire and The Football
Museum for Wales in Wrexham.
The Welsh Government is also working closely with Amgueddfa Cymru
and the National Library of Wales to develop plans to address the
wider maintenance issues at the National Museum in Cardiff and
the Library's building in Aberystwyth over the coming
years.
Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice, said: “Our museums,
archives and galleries are vital parts of cultural life in Wales
and today's announcement will help protect them and their
collections for the benefit of people across Wales, now and in
the future.
“We have had to make some difficult decisions and choices, but we
have listened and the priority at this time must be helping to
safeguard our cultural institutions be they large or small,
national or local.
“The dispersed model of the National Contemporary Art Gallery
will bring collections closer to communities, emphasising our
commitment to equity of access. We will continue to develop our
digital online platform - Celf ar y Cyd – so more people across
Wales and the world can enjoy our national collection of art.
“Funding will also ensure local museums and archives are
supported, recognising the extremely important role they play in
telling the stories of their areas.
“We have been honest about the financial challenges we're
facing, however, this does not stop us being ambitious for
the sector. The investment we're continuing to make and our
consultation on draft priorities for culture over the next six
years show the importance this Welsh Government places on
culture.
“We must continue to work together to safeguard our cultural
institutions.”
Jane Henderson, President of the Federation of Museums and Art
Galleries of Wales said: “We're delighted that Welsh Government
is acknowledging the importance of caring for collections held in
local museums and archives. These objects and collections combine
to tell the histories of people and their communities which
together tell a powerful story of a nation built from many
parts.”
Amgueddfa Cymru Chief Executive, Jane Richardson said: “We are so
pleased that Welsh Government are providing additional funding to
start critical maintenance work at National Museum Cardiff. The
Museum is over 100 years old and was specifically built to house
and showcase Wales' very special national collection.
“We are delighted that this extra investment will enable us to
begin the work to ensure this collection remains accessible to
the people of Wales as well as visitors from the rest of the UK
and across the world.”
National Library of Wales Chief Executive, Rhodri Llwyd Morgan,
said: “We very much welcome this new investment by the Welsh
Government which will go towards essential renovations to the
National Library building in Aberystwyth.
“The national collection that is kept here is a treasure that
belongs to the nation and the funding will enable works that are
much needed. Completing these works will mean that the
collections are safe in the long-term and will ensure access to
them for future generations.”
