Nyth opens its doors
Our new arts, cultural and community hub for young people in Bangor is officially open.
We have transformed the old St Mary's Church, a grade II listed building, on Garth Road as part of a £4.5m project.
The development transforms the building into a fully accessible hub which includes spaces to create, rehearse and perform on a small scale, an underground cellar studio and a number of smaller creative spaces for artist residencies.
We are so excited to open the doors of our new home, Nyth. This space will be a hub for young people, artists and the wider community to come together, to connect, challenge, create and share through the arts.Gethin Evans, Frân Wen Artistic Director
Maggie Russell, Cadeirydd Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru said:
“NYTH is the result of a powerful funding partnership that will see one of our most important theatre companies taking a prominent place at the heart of the community that it serves.
It’s amazing to see new life injected into this old building, and great to know that Fran Wen, a cornerstone of Welsh theatre for almost four decades, is continuing to develop and inspire young people to participate in theatre. Nyth will undoubtedly be an asset to the creative economy of the north-west as it provides new opportunities for those who wish to tread the boards or work back-stage in the world of the theatre.”
Minister for Climate Change, Julie James, said: “We want town and city centres across Wales to be the beating heart of Welsh communities, where people can access services, shops, communal and cultural spaces.
“I’m pleased to see the completion of this project which has transformed an empty church in the centre of Bangor into a fantastic arts and community hub, dedicated to young people and artists, that will promote the arts industry across the whole of North West Wales.
Through our Transforming Towns programme, we were able to support the project with £1.2 million of funding.
This project is an excellent example of community engagement that we need to see in more of our town centres.”
Thanks to the following for their unwavering support:
National Lottery Capital Fund through Arts Council Wales
Welsh Government's Transforming Towns Programme through Cyngor Gwynedd.
Welsh Government's Community Facilities Programme
Heritage Lottery Fund
Coastal Communities Fund
Community Facilities Programme
Garfield Weston Foundation
Landfill Disposals Tax Communities Scheme WCVA
Cist Gwynedd Community Support Fund
Douglas Pennant Family Foundation, Oakdale Trust, Laspen Trust and the Moondance Foundation
Crowdfunding campaign and individual contributions.
