Could south Wales be the perfect canvas for a gallery of modern art?

PLANS for a national gallery of modern Welsh art are now back on the agenda.

Work on the proposed project is being led by National Museum Wales and the Arts Council of Wales.

Having examined some of the broader options, a more detailed feasibility study funded by the Welsh Government will be undertaken later this year.

Putting aside the funding model, including what public sector finance and operating subsidy it could require and the amount of private sector backing it might secure, its realisation would help fill a gap in Wales’ cultural offer and help attract visitors from the others parts of the UK and beyond.

So, assuming a sound business and artistic plan can be drawn up, where could it be based?

Here are a few of the options in south Wales and further afield...

Cardiff There would no doubt be cries of “why does everything go to Cardiff?” but a gallery of modern Welsh art would significantly enhance the capital’s cultural offering.

The city is spoilt for choice in terms of new and existing building options, but the 19th century brewhouse at the SA Brain & Co site at the south side of Cardiff Central Train Station would be ideal.

There is a window of opportunity as the family-owned brewing and hospitality firm plans to move out of its current headquarters and brewery to a new location – opening up its eight-acre site for the proposed three million square foot Central Quay regeneration scheme.

Working in partnership with developer Rightacres Property, the brewhouse and iconic Brains-branded chimney would remain as a central figure in Central Quay.

So why not have a national gallery of modern Welsh art housed inside it?

Merthyr Tydfil It once employed thousands of workers and the main office building at the Hoover site, which dates back to the 1940s, could be the perfect fit for a gallery of modern art.

And with the next phase of the South Wales Metro coming with electrification of the Valleys Lines – and the resulting increase in frequency of services – its close proximity to Pentrebach train station ticks all of the right boxes in terms of public transport access.

Pontypridd The town will be at the heart of the south east Wales Metro, so why not locate a national gallery of modern Welsh art close to its train station in the centre of the town?

There are a number of possible locations including the planned redevelopment of the Taff Vale precinct site.

Newport The city has been in the shadows of its noisier neighbour Cardiff in recent years on the investment and commercial development front.

But there have been some positive