The Royal Cambrian Academy of Art, based in Conwy, is Wales’ first and only Royal Academy. It opened in 1881 and was granted its royal title by command of Queen Victoria, who decreed that it be known as the Royal Cambrian Academy of Art.
Due to rising costs and cuts to public funding, the Academy is now at risk of closure. This would not only be a loss to Conwy but also mark the end of a legacy that has shaped generations of Welsh arts and artists.
Janet Finch-Saunders, the Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, has been calling on the Arts Council of Wales to take action and provide the necessary funding for this important institution.
Commenting on the risk of closure of the Royal Cambrian Academy of Art, Janet said:
“The Royal Cambrian Academy of Art has been the backbone of arts and culture in Wales since 1881, with more than 140 artists relying on the Academy as a place to exhibit, connect, and grow.
“I have been trying to assist them for some time. Several virtual meetings have been held with the Arts Council of Wales to discuss the future of the Academy, the content of grant applications, and potential emergency support.
“In fact, I understood from one meeting that the Arts Council, in light of the very difficult situation, was eager to help, provided that an amended, detailed budget be submitted along with further information on how any grant money would be spent.
“Hopefully, you can find some comfort in knowing that I have been, and continue to be, using the levers at my disposal to put pressure on the Arts Council to try and save the Centre.”
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
Academi Gelf Frenhinol Cambrian yng Nghonwy oedd Academi Frenhinol gyntaf Cymru a dyma’r unig Academi Frenhinol yng Nghymru bellach. Agorodd ym 1881 a rhoddwyd ei theitl brenhinol iddi trwy orchymyn y Frenhines Fictoria, a ddyfarnodd iddi gael ei hadnabod fel Academi Gelf Frenhinol Cambrian.
Yn sgil costau cynyddol a thoriadau i gyllid cyhoeddus, mae'r Academi bellach mewn perygl o gau. Byddai hyn nid yn unig yn golled i Gonwy ond hefyd yn nodi diwedd gwaddol sydd wedi siapio cenedlaethau o gelfyddydau ac artistiaid Cymreig.
Mae Janet Finch-Saunders, yr Aelod o’r Senedd dros Aberconwy, wedi bod yn galw ar Gyngor Celfyddydau Cymru i weithredu a darparu'r cyllid angenrheidiol ar gyfer y sefydliad pwysig hwn.
Gan gyfeirio at y risg o gau Academi Gelf Frenhinol Cambrian, dywedodd Janet:
"Mae Academi Gelf Frenhinol Cambrian wedi bod yn asgwrn cefn i’r celfyddydau a diwylliant yng Nghymru ers 1881, gyda mwy na 140 o artistiaid yn dibynnu ar yr Academi fel lle i arddangos, cysylltu a thyfu.
"Rydw i wedi bod yn ceisio eu cynorthwyo ers peth amser. Cynhaliwyd sawl cyfarfod rhithiol gyda Chyngor Celfyddydau Cymru i drafod dyfodol yr Academi, cynnwys ceisiadau am grantiau, a chymorth brys posibl.
"Rwyf ar ddeall o un cyfarfod bod Cyngor y Celfyddydau, yng ngoleuni'r sefyllfa anodd iawn hon, yn awyddus i helpu, ar yr amod bod cyllideb ddiwygiedig, fanwl yn cael ei chyflwyno ynghyd â rhagor o wybodaeth am sut y byddai unrhyw arian grant yn cael ei wario.
"Gobeithio y gallwch ddod o hyd i rywfaint o gysur o wybod fy mod i wedi bod, ac yn parhau i fod, yn gwneud popeth o fewn fy ngallu i roi pwysau ar Gyngor y Celfyddydau i geisio achub y Ganolfan."
DIWEDD
Llun: Janet Finch-Saunders AS
