What discussions has the Welsh Government had with Cardiff Council regarding the future of Cardiff Museum?
The Museum of Cardiff is one of Wales’ key local museums and has an excellent reputation for its outreach work, supporting community groups and telling the diverse stories of the people of our capital city.
Welsh Government Culture Division acts as the sector development and support agency for the local museum sector. As such it manages the Museum Accreditation Scheme in Wales. Officials are liaising with Museum of Cardiff staff and have already given some feedback on the likely impact of the proposals cited within Cardiff Council’s budget consultation on the museum’s Accredited status. Discussions will continue in the new year, to gain a fuller understanding of how the proposals will affect the museum and its activities.
We recognise how important our network of local museums are to communities across Wales – as visitor attractions and community assets. They can help local authorities deliver against the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act, Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan, the forthcoming LGBTQ+ Action Plan, the new curriculum and the recovery of our town centres and the wellbeing of children, families, vulnerable people and communities following the pandemic.
It is positive therefore that the proposal recognises that full closure of this community heritage organisation is not the right option, and that there remains an ambition for the museum to have a permanent location in the future. I hope a solution is found where the museum is able to maintain its Accreditation status, the collections donated by the Cardiff public continue to be cared for and their diverse stories made accessible to the public.