Dylan Thomas Centre

Dylan Thomas Centre

Former names	Swansea Guildhall
General information
Location	Swansea, Wales
Address	Somerset Place, Swansea SA1 1RR
Coordinates	51°37′09.00″N 3°56′09.00″W / 51.6191667°N 3.9358333°W / 51.6191667; -3.9358333
Completed	1825
Renovated	1995
Owner	City and County of Swansea Council

The Dylan Thomas Centre is an arts centre located in the Maritime Quarter in Swansea, Wales.

Formerly the city's Guildhall, which was originally built in 1825, the Dylan Thomas Centre was restored and refurbished to host the UK Year of Literature and Writing in 1995.

It was opened in 1995 by American ex-President Jimmy Carter,^[1] and has a permanent exhibition on the life and work of Dylan Thomas, as well as a restaurant and bar, a bookshop cafe, conference rooms and a theatre.

The centre houses the permanent ‘Man and Myth’ exhibition, based on the largest collection of memorabilia of its kind in the world. It is designed to appeal to the Dylan expert and interested visitor alike. This interactive exhibition explores Dylan’s life and work through a variety of media and includes letters, books, worksheets and photographs.

The Dylan Thomas Centre is home to a year-round programme of literary events, including book launches, plays, poetry evenings, changing exhibitions and science talks. It hosts the annual Dylan Thomas Festival held between Dylan’s birth and death dates, 27 October to 9 November.^[2]

The Dylan Thomas Centre’s staff also provide a variety of talks and tours, such as talks on aspects of Dylan’s life and works, on contemporary literature, on writing poetry and on cultural tourism.

In 2012 a large part of the centre was leased by Swansea's council to the University of Wales with the purpose of using it as a business centre for creative industries.^[1] This move was opposed by more than 200 writers and artists, including writer Russell T. Davies and Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, who believed the centre should be run as a trust.^[1]

External links

References

↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Dylan Thomas Centre: University of Wales leases Swansea building". BBC. 23 February 2012. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
↑ "Dylan Thomas Festival". dylanthomas.com. Retrieved 21 July 2012.

Museums and art galleries in Wales

National Museum Wales	National Museum Cardiff St Fagans National History Museum Big Pit National Coal Museum National Wool Museum National Roman Legion Museum National Slate Museum National Waterfront Museum

Natural history	National Museum Cardiff Swansea Museum Tenby Museum and Art Gallery Newport Museum and Art Gallery

History	Isca Augusta Roman Baths Museum

Galleries and art	Dylan Thomas Boathouse Dylan Thomas Centre Glynn Vivian Art Gallery Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre MOMA, Wales Oriel Mostyn Oriel Ynys Môn Turner House Gallery

Industry	Bersham Ironworks Blaenavon Ironworks Cefn Coed Colliery Museum Kidwelly Industrial Museum Llechwedd Slate Caverns Newtown Textile Museum Pierhead Building South Wales Miners' Museum Sygun Copper Mine

Military	Monmouth Museum South Wales Borderers Museum Museum of the Welsh Soldier Pembroke Dock Flying Boat Centre

Local history	Abergavenny Museum Brecknock Museum Cardiff Story Carmarthenshire County Museum Ceredigion Museum Chepstow Museum Haverfordwest Town Museum Lampeter Museum Llancaiach Fawr Llandrindod Wells Museum Llanidloes Museum Milford Haven Museum Narberth Museum Newport Museum Parc Howard Museum Pontypool Museum Powysland Museum Scolton Manor Swansea Museum Tenby Museum and Art Gallery Wrexham County Borough Museum

Motoring	Llangollen Motor Museum Pembrokeshire Motor Museum Pendine Museum of Speed

Railways	Conwy Valley Railway Museum Narrow Gauge Railway Museum Penrhyn Castle Railway Museum

Maritime	Holyhead Maritime Museum National Coracle Centre

Other	National Cycle Collection Welsh Sports Hall of Fame