The Cyfarthfa Foundation has responded to the Welsh Government’s ambitious vision for an anchor site for a National Contemporary Art Gallery for Wales (NCAGW) with a bold concept for Cyfarthfa Castle and Park. The site in Merthyr Tydfil offers an opportunity for an internationally recognised centre of contemporary art and the creative industries.
Establishing a National Contemporary Art Gallery for Wales is a key commitment of the Welsh Government’s Programme for Government and the Co-operation Agreement with Plaid Cymru.
In September 2022, the Welsh Government received 14 expressions of interest for locations to become the anchor site for the National Contemporary Art Gallery for Wales. Five local authority areas: Wrexham, Swansea, Newport. Cardiff, and Merthyr Tydfil were invited to develop their plans further.
For a century and a half Merthyr Tydfil was a globally important crucible of the industrial revolution and the bold proposal for the NCAGW at Cyfarthfa builds on that legacy. This would provide a significant opportunity for children, students and adults to engage with artists, makers, curators and entrepreneurs. The ambitious project would be an asset for local people, as well as connecting more widely to drive more visits to the area.
The Artistic Vision for the NCAGW at Cyfarthfa brings together the existing collection in Merthyr with Wales’s national collection and demonstrates how contemporary art can enhance Cyfarthfa’s presentation of history and industrial heritage via a wide range of media and approaches.
Should Cyfarthfa be successful, the project would generate major cultural investment in Merthyr Tydfil and the Heads of the Valleys area.
Building on current successful activity on the site which engages the community with history, nature and art - Cyfarthfa would significantly grow its audience base amongst families, students and tourists and offer more employment and volunteering opportunities for local people.
Surveys and research with the local community demonstrate broad support of the anchor site being established in Merthyr with 89% of respondents being overwhelmingly supportive of Cyfarthfa applying to be the NCAGW location.
The proposal for a National Contemporary Art Gallery for Wales was submitted to Welsh Government in Spring 2023 for consideration. A decision is expected in the summer of 2024.