Nyth, a new arts, culture and community hub located at the grade II listed former St Mary’s Church in Bangor opened its doors to the public today.
Nyth will be Cwmni Frân Wen’s latest headquarters, a theatre company that aims to form an “exciting, challenging and inspiring theatre for the young.”
The building on Heol Garth was opened to give the public the opportunity to see the plans for the new centre, plans which include a state-of-the-art performance and rehearsal space, a smaller cellar studio, office space and flexible gathering spaces.
The open day was attended by the local Member of the Senedd, Siân Gwenllian, who is also Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson for the Welsh language. She said: “Arts and culture are both integral parts of all our lives.
“Especially in Wales, we are a nation where culture is at the heart of our way of life.
“Over the past year, it would have been hard to imagine life hadn’t it been for the arts, and we have all missed the contribution of social culture to our life.
“Over the past year I have talked of the pandemic’s adverse effect on the Welsh arts industry, therefore it’s great to have cause to celebrate.”
Cwmni Frân Wen has secured £1.8m from the National Lottery, administrated through Arts Council of Wales, £1.2m through Cyngor Gwynedd by Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme, £200,000 from the Garfield Weston Foundation, and £10,000 from The Pennant Foundation.
Frân Wen Executive Director Nia Jones said: “We understand how important this building is for the local community so It’s really important to us that people have the opportunity to see the building before the work starts to get a sense of the transformation planned.”