Wales details plans for its contemporary art collection

The Welsh Government has shared plans to showcase Wales’ national contemporary art collection in galleries across the country.

Arts Council of Wales, Amgueddfa Cymru and the National Library of Wales will collaborate on sharing the work across the network of venues which include Aberystwyth Arts Centre and Newport Museum & Art Gallery.

Meanwhile, a digital platform, featuring around 25,000 images, has been launched to support the initiative, while plans to develop an anchor gallery acting as a prominent public face for the national contemporary art gallery continue.

Proposals for a national contemporary art gallery were first explored in 2018 and committed to in the government’s draft budget in 2021. 

Work is currently underway to find a host for the anchor gallery, with local authorities in Wrexham, Swansea, Merthyr Tydfil, Newport and Cardiff being invited to develop their plans for the space further.

“The national collection belongs to everyone in Wales,” Deputy Arts Minister Dawn Bowden said.

“The new model will allow people to explore the collection within their own communities, whilst also ensuring more people across Wales, the UK and even internationally can have improved access to the national collection.”

“It will help to boost the visitor economy, support local businesses and jobs, and put Wales on the map internationally.”