CARDIFF, WALES.-National Museum Cardiff is embarking on one of the biggest changes in its one hundred year history, with a complete redevelopment and refurbishment of its art galleries. The work at National Museum Cardiff is part of Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales’s major 2007 centenary project, which includes developments at both its largest museums in the Cardiff area, National Museum Cardiff and St Fagans: National History Museum.

Work begins at National Museum Cardiff during May, and over the next eighteen months, a number of the art galleries will be closed to the public temporarily, while refurbishment work is completed. Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales Director General, Michael Houlihan, explains how the changes will benefit visitors:

“The redevelopments at National Museum Cardiff come at an exciting time for Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales as a whole. We are looking forward to our second century with a wide range of exciting plans, and our aim is to become a world class museum of learning.

“Our redeveloped art galleries will safeguard and improve access to the world renowned national art collection of Wales. The work will also culminate with the whole of the top floor at National Museum Cardiff being devoted to art, providing us with an excellent space to exhibit our magnificent collections.”

The refurbishment programme is supported with additional funding by the Welsh Assembly Government, and Minister for Culture, Welsh Language and Sport, Alun Pugh, is delighted with the plans for Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales:

"I'm committed to increasing access to culture, including the seven sites of our wonderful National Museum. Thanks to the Welsh Assembly Government's free entry policy, the number of visitors has risen significantly since the initiative was introduced in April 2001. I'm confident our additional capital investment will allow the Museum to develop plans for the next century.”

Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales has developed a special 07 centenary section on its website – www.museumwales.ac.uk – which includes more information on all capital development projects at its museums, details of gallery closures and information on how to support the museum and its work. For day to day enquiries regarding gallery openings, please ring 029 2039 7951.

Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales operates seven national museums across Wales. These are National Museum Cardiff, St Fagans: National History Museum, National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon, Big Pit: National Coal Museum, Blaenafon, National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre, National Slate Museum, Llanberis and the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. Entry to all the museums is free, thanks to the support of the Welsh Assembly Government.