YOU MAY GET A DOSE OF CULTURE SHOCK
WHEN YOU REALISE JUST HOW MUCH
SOUTH WALES HAS TO OFFER IN THE
REALMS OF THEATRE, CINEMA AND ART.
ART CENTRES
the best indie cinemas in South Wales,
Chapter is a melting pot of creativity.
ABERYSTWYTH ARTS CENTRE
Penglais Campus, Aberystwyth
01970 623232
www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk
Wales’ largest arts centre offers a broad
program of events across all art forms in
impressive surroundings. Here you can
find a varied program including dance,
drama, music, film and applied arts. If
all that creativity makes you peckish,
there are some delectable cafes and bars
onsite. A fantastic, multi-faceted arts
centre.
CYNON VALLEY MUSEUM
AND GALLERY
Depot Road, Aberdare
01685 886729
www.cynonvalley.co.uk
Housed in an old ironworks on the
outskirts of Aberdare, this museum tells
the fascinating story of the people of the
Cynon Valley from the Victorian boom
years through the slump of the 1920s and
30s and on to the long post-war industrial
decline. Also houses a gallery showing
exhibitions of contemporary Welsh art.
BUTETOWN HISTORY
AND ART CENTRE
5 Dock Chambers, Bute Street,
Cardiff Bay
029 2025 6757
www.bhac.org
The corporate re-branding of Cardiff
docklands into the Bay was resented
by many local residents because it
symbolized the loss of the area’s
distinct multi-ethnic history and
culture. Established in 1987, the BHAC
has strived to keep the memory of
that community alive through regular
exhibitions and a strong research and
education programme.
DYLAN THOMAS CENTRE
Somerset Place, Swansea
01792 463980
www.swansea.gov.uk/dtc
Dylan Thomas’s shadow looms large
over Swansea. Built in honour of the
troubled poet, the centre features a
permanent exhibition of Thomas’ life,
as well as a gallery, bookshop and café
selling Welsh cakes and tea – although
ironically no beer. Literary events are
held here throughout the year, including
the annual Dylan Thomas Festival.
CHAPTER ARTS CENTRE
Market Road, Canton, Cardiff
029 2030 4400
www.chapter.org
A mecca for Cardiff’s cultural classes,
Chapter is widely regarded as the flagship
for contemporary arts in Wales. After
refurbishment, Chapter has become even
bigger and better. Housing a gallery, several
theatres, studios, a café bar and one of
THE GATE ARTS CENTRE
Keppoch Street, Cardiff
029 2048 3344
www.thegate.org.uk
Committed to helping local people
develop and discover creative skills, the
Gate is a community arts centre that
provides a broad programme of dance,
music, theatre, singing, visual art and
writing. Housed in a former Presbyterian
church, the centre has a Christian
ethos, although welcomes people of all
faiths and none.
MODEL HOUSE
Bull Ring, Llantrisant, Pontyclun
01443 237758
This community art centre features
many exciting contemporary craft
exhibitions, along with 15 arts and craft
studios that house professional artists
and also offer frequent workshops for
the public.
NATIONAL MUSEUM & GALLERY
Cathays Park, Cardiff
029 2057 3000
www.museumwales.ac.uk
Every proud nation needs its own
national museum – and this is Wales’.
Famous for its superb collection of
Impressionists featuring masterpieces
by Monet, Cezanne and Van Gogh, the
museum also houses galleries devoted
to classical art in Britain, Italy and
Holland. Having recently expanded,
the national museum is now home to
the National Museum Of Art which
documents the history of art in Wales
through to the modern day.
NEWPORT MUSEUM
AND ART GALLERY
John Frost Square, Newport
01633 656656
www.newport.gov.uk/museum
Although Newport may have a certain
stigma attached to it, it does possess a
decent museum – albeit housed in one of
the ugliest civic buildings in the country.
Regrettably, its previously strong
exhibition programme was discontinued
earlier this year; however, the gallery
features an interesting collection of local
art which illustrates the changing face
of South Wales.
Buzz 055