Swansea’s world-famous Dylan Thomas Centre could be transformed into a 21st Century hub for culture, creative industries, education and enterprise.
Swansea Council is looking to join forces with the University of Wales and Swansea Metropolitan University in an exciting joint venture that will make the most of the venue.
Plans would see the retention of the Dylan Thomas exhibition and literature programme as well as the introduction of several new features and services at the centre.
Some of the new features could include an improvement of the existing exhibition with the addition of interpretation about other iconic Swansea Bay-related figures.
The centre could also become home to the Dylan Thomas Prize- the world’s biggest literature prize for young published authors- as well as the Sony Reader Prize- a new UK prize sponsored by Sony in partnership with the Dylan Thomas Prize that’s aimed at young unpublished writers.
Swansea Council’s Cabinet is being asked to enter in principle into a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Wales and Swansea Metropolitan University that would be agreed in fine detail later this year.
Other ideas that could be realised include the accommodation of dedicated business incubation space at the Dylan Thomas Centre for creative industries.
Cllr Graham Thomas, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism, said: “This is an exciting plan that would build on the tremendous success story of the Dylan Thomas Centre.
“The exhibition and literature festival are major attractions. This initiative would make the most of what we already have and would give the University of Wales and Swansea Metropolitan University another base in the city centre.
“Plans would not only see the existing exhibition conserved and improved but could also include the accommodation of cutting-edge, creative industries at a time when we’re looking to keep as many talented graduates as possible in the Swansea area.
“We’re delighted to be working in close partnership with the University of Wales and Swansea Metropolitan University. Agreeing the Memorandum of Understanding in principle means we can further explore ideas to generate a 21st Century hub of culture, academia and business at the Dylan Thomas Centre while saving Swansea taxpayers hundreds of thousands of pounds in the long-term.”
Professor David Warner, Vice-Chancellor of Swansea Metropolitan University, said: “These discussions are at a very early stage and there is much work to do by both the University of Wales and Swansea Metropolitan University before anything is finalised.
“Needless to say, this opportunity could offer us the chance to enhance our city centre presence in a wonderful building and would no doubt be of benefit to both Wales-based students and the people of Swansea.”
Professor Marc Clement, University of Wales Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor, said: “The University of Wales sees itself as a pan-Wales institution and is delighted to seek to develop this role further in partnership with the City of Swansea and Swansea Metropolitan University.”
