28 January 2008

Financial package secured for Gwynedd Museum and Art Gallery

The future of the Gwynedd Museum and Art Gallery in Bangor has been secured for the next three years following an agreement between the Welsh Assembly Government, Gwynedd Council and Bangor University.

Gwynedd Council staff have been working with officials from the Welsh Assembly Government to finalise details of a funding package under the Museum Strategic Grant scheme.  Bangor University has also agreed to double its funding of the Museum.

First Minister Rhodri Morgan said: “I am glad that we have been able to work with Gwynedd Council and Bangor University to safeguard the museum, which has a very important role to play in preserving the history and heritage of north-west Wales.”

Welcoming the announcement, Gwynedd Councillor Dai Rees Jones, who chairs the Gwynedd Museum and Art Gallery Working Group, said:

“This is an important step in our efforts to ensure the long-term future of the Museum. Thanks to hard work and cooperation between Gwynedd Council, Bangor University, the Welsh Assembly Government, and support of the Friends of the Museum, we can now work together to find new and creative ways of securing a sustainable long-term future for the Gwynedd Museum and Art Gallery.”

Professor Merfyn Jones, Vice-Chancellor of Bangor University added: “We are pleased to have been able to agree the funding that will secure the Museum's future in the interests of both the local community and visitors to the area.”