City could be home for modern art

12:13pm Tuesday 22nd May 2007

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NEWPORT is said to be a frontrunner to become the home of a new multi-million pound national centre for contemporary art in Wales.

A possible riverside location of the proposed gallery could create a cultural landmark, the director of a leading Welsh think-tank says.

"Newport would be an ideal location for the home of contemporary art in Wales," said John Osmond, director of the Institute of Welsh Affairs.

The city's reputation as a centre for artistic study and ongoing regeneration could help it beat rivals including Swansea and Wrexham, he added.

The Arts Council of Wales said Newport had a "strong and feasible case" to become the host city of the proposed National Centre for Contemporary Art.

A total of 1,500 square metres of gallery space will be needed, including facilities for "new media" artwork such as video-based pieces.

All the exhibits will be from the second half of the 20th century onwards. Although the emphasis will be on Welsh art, an additional aim is to attract top international exhibitions.

Mr Osmond said the creation of an "iconic, cultural landmark building" would complete the city's "dramatic transformation".

"Look at the Guggenheim in Spain, which is known around the world," he said.

The Arts Council of Wales and National Museum Wales published a feasibility study on the display of art last year, which concluded two projects were needed to put Wales on the visual arts map: 1) a national gallery of modern art from the 20th century, and 2) a national centre for contemporary art.

Cardiff is favourite for the former gallery, it said, whereas Newport is a contender for the latter alongside Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham.

A second study, to be completed by the end of the autumn, will include costings for both projects and deliver final recommendations on their locations.

A decision will then be taken by the Assembly, Arts Council of Wales and National Museum Wales.

Much of the cash will come from them but the report said financial support from the council would be a key factor.

Feasibility work will consider the exact cost of construction and how the gallery will run.

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Ron Jones, Newport council's cabinet member for culture, said the council would welcome the project, depending on funding. He said such a gallery would be an "unbelievable" addition to the city if built alongside the planned £20 million city centre University of Wales, Newport, campus on the banks of the Usk.