The National Museum Cardiff in Wales may close for much-needed repair work, according to a workers’ union claim that it is in early discussions about a temporary closure in the wake of work last year to address what the institution’s director general described as the building’s “deteriorating condition.”
As reported by the BBC, “The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) said it understands that Amgueddfa Cymru, which runs the site, is ‘considering the possibility’ of temporary closure but that ‘no final decisions have been made.’”
The union told the BBC that the talks related to “the impact on staff, the protection of collections and the future operation of the museum” after rumors on social media led to questions about the museum’s future.
In a statement, Amgueddfa Cymru chief executive Jane Richardson described maintenance on the building as “an ongoing challenge.” A press release issued by the group said a design team has been appointed as a “first step towards plans to ensure the Museum—which is approaching its centenary in 2027—is fit for purpose for the future.” Among the needed repairs are work on the building’s roof as well as the installation of a new fire alarm system.
“Our ambition is to create a distinctively Welsh National Museum and Gallery with inspiring, modern, sustainable and accessible spaces for everyone to enjoy,” said Richardson. “These are ambitious plans, but we believe this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a vibrant cultural destination in Cardiff that drives economic growth and connects us to the world through stories and collaborations that matter locally and globally.”
The National Museum Cardiff is home to Wales’s national art, geology and natural history collections, with notable holdings of Impressionist paintings and temporary exhibitions such as “Ffasiwn,” a show related to “a socially engaged, anti-fashion photography project” by artists Clémentine Schneidermann and Charlotte James and young people in Wales.
