Press Releases

A substantial grant has been given to Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales  by The Colwinston Charitable Trust, to develop the presentation of contemporary art and capitalise on the success of the launch of the National Museum of Art last year. The Museum, together with other arts organisations from Wales will officially thank the Trust for its continued support, at an event at National Museum Cardiff this evening (6.30pm, 11 October 2012).

The grant - in excess of £250,000 - that has been awarded to the Museum, will be invested in learning activities, new major art exhibitions and solo exhibitions by international artists, as well as three new commissions over the next three years. There is also the potential to unlock an additional £50,000 in match funding for a new art acquisition.

The Colwinston Charitable Trust was established by Mathew Prichard - a long standing supporter of Amgueddfa Cymru. Mr Prichard founded the Trust with royalties from the West End production of The Mousetrap, which is currently touring for the first time in its 60 year run and playing at the New Theatre in Cardiff this week.

The Trust has supported many organisations across Wales including the Welsh National Opera, Wales Millennium Centre, Sinfonia Cymru, UWCAtlanticCollege and Artes Mundi, which last week celebrated the launch of its fifth exhibition at National Museum Cardiff.

Elisabeth Elias, President of Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales said:

“On behalf of Amgueddfa Cymru, I would like to thank the Colwinston Charitable Trust for its commitment and support of our work, which allows the Museum to invest in innovative and interesting exhibitions, displays and commissions. Personally, I would like to thank Mathew Prichard for his ongoing commitment to culture in Wales.”

As a charity, Amgueddfa Cymru is thrilled that this support will enable them to make a major acquisition at a time when public funding is limited.

John Walmsley, Principal of UWC Atlantic College, the international sixth form college in St. Donat’s Castle, Vale of Glamorgan added:

“The Mousetrap Settlement Trust and The Colwinston Charitable Trust has been a long-standing supporter of the college and St Donats Arts Centre. It is an association we value enormously. We are delighted that Mathew has generously agreed to support the refurbishment of the college library, as The Agatha Christie Library, with a significant donation. Access to such a facility will significantly enhance the unique educational experience we provide for over 350 students from across the world and we are extremely grateful to Mathew for marking and celebrating The Mousetrap’s 60^th and UWC Atlantic College’s 50^th Anniversary in this way.”