18 Oct 2012
Swansea gallery gets additional funding
BY Aoife Dowling
Glynn Vivian Art Gallery in Swansea has been given a further boost as it received additional funding for its £6.7m redevelopment from the Welsh regeneration programme.
The gallery is currently being redeveloped in a bid to conserve the original character of the 1911 building while also bringing the attraction up to date with the 21st century requirements.
Expected to open next year, the gallery was awarded £250,000 from the Welsh Regeneration Area Programme following a previous contribution of £300,000.
The funding will go towards a complete refurbishment of the 1911 building, a new entrance and re-cladding of the 1974 gallery extension.
Other features of the upgrade will include a new glazed link structure, a new entrance and shop at street level and additional space for the display of collections and exhibitions.
A new storage and conservation area to enable the future development of the collections will also be provided together with enhanced workshops.
Once complete, it is hoped the gallery will attract around 90,000 visitors a year, which will double its previous visitor numbers.
The redevelopment will also renew the existing education room and improve facilities for working with schools and colleges.
A new passenger lift will be installed to allow full access to all exhibitions, collection galleries and education and study facilities.
The gallery is closed while the redevelopment is underway but gallery staff have developed an off-site public programme of activities that are available in venues across the city.
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