Redevelopment progress

The gallery is having significant Welsh Government investment through the Arts Council of Wales. Almost £1m is being used to improve our infrastructure, security, environmental controls and replace the roof as we become a partner in CELF, the National Contemporary Art Gallery for Wales, with the National Museum / Amgueddfa Cymru and the National Library / Llyfrgell Genedlaethol.

The work on the roof is nearing completion and the work on the building's environmental controls is well underway.

These are two very important parts of the redevelopment project, and although neither will have a big impact visually on the building, it means we will be able to loan works from the national collection safely and display them here in Newtown.

We are very excited about the opportunities this will bring over the coming years and are proud to represent mid Wales as part of CELF, the National Contemporary Art Gallery for Wales

New arts research carried out by Deyton Bell and Counterculture Partnership LLP on the economic impact of Arts Council of Wales funding shows the significant impact that the arts has for the Welsh economy and Welsh jobs.

The full report (and a handy summary if you're short of time!) can be found here:

https://arts.wales/about-us/research/economic-impact-report

Key takeaways:

• In 2023/24, for every £1 of public funding received by ACW, £2.51 went back into the economy

• 92% of Arts Council of Wales funding is distributed across the country, bringing benefits to every community

• The arts and culture industry in Wales had a turnover of £1.64b in 2023/24

• Over the last decade, employment in the arts, culture and creative industries in Wales has increased by 28% - from 28,900 in 2014 to the currently reported level of 36,960

• ACW’s approach to funding over the last two years post-pandemic has helped to deliver a significant recovery in economic impact, from £1.01 per £1 in 2021/22 (as the sector recovered from its devastation by the COVID-19 pandemic) to £2.51 per £1 in 2023/24

We are looking forward to welcoming you back to Oriel Davies Gallery.

Even though the gallery is closed, we are continuing our work in the community during this time.

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