| Dylan Thomas Centre | |
|---|---|
 Dylan Thomas Centre | |
 Interactive map of Dylan Thomas Centre | |
| Former names | Swansea Guildhall |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | neo-classical style |
| Location | Somerset Place,Swansea SA1 1RR, Swansea,Wales |
| Coordinates | 51°37′09.00″N3°56′09.00″W / 51.6191667°N 3.9358333°W /51.6191667; -3.9358333 |
| Completed | 1829 |
| Renovated | 1995 |
| Owner | City and County of Swansea Council |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | John Collingwood |
| Main contractor | Thomas Bowen |
| References | |
Listed Building – Grade II* | |
| Official name | The Old Guildhall (Former Annexe to Dynevor Comprehensive School) |
| Designated | 30 March 1987 |
| Reference no. | 11643 |
TheDylan Thomas Centre is an arts centre located in theMaritime Quarter inSwansea, Wales. It is a Grade II*listed building.[1]
The building was commissioned to replace a previous guildhall, which had been located nearSwansea Castle and dated back to the late 16th century.[2] The new building, which was designed by John Collingwood in theneo-classical style and built by Thomas Bowen, was completed in 1829.[1] It was remodelled to the plans of Thomas Taylor in 1852, using a design which was modelled on theTemple of Jupiter Stator inRome.[1] The external design involved nine bays on each side with round-arched windows on the ground floor and tall round-arched windows flanked byCorinthian order columns on the first floor.[1]
It was converted for use as a juvenile employment centre after the civic leaders moved to the newSwansea Guildhall in 1934.[3] During theSecond World War it was requisitioned by the army for use as a recruiting centre.[4] After reverting to use as a juvenile employment centre, it became a College of Further Education in 1960 and then became an annexe toDynevor School in 1970 before closing in 1982.[4][5]
The building was officially re-opened by the American former PresidentJimmy Carter and the last Leader of the Swansea City Council, Trevor Burtonshaw, as the Dylan Thomas Centre in 1995.[6][7] In 2012 a large part of the Centre was leased by Swansea's council to theUniversity of Wales with the purpose of using it as a business centre for creative industries.[8]
In October 2014, the Centre launched the permanent "Love the Words" exhibition which explores Dylan's life and work through a variety of media and including letters, books, worksheets and photographs.[9] It was made possible with support of nearly £1 million from theHeritage Lottery Fund.[10][11]
The Dylan Thomas Centre is home to a year-round programme of literary events, including book launches, plays, poetry evenings, changing exhibitions and science talks.[12] It also hosts the annual Dylan Thomas Festival held between Dylan’s birth and death dates, 27 October to 9 November.[13]
Media related toDylan Thomas Centre at Wikimedia Commons
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