National Museum Cardiff is about to completely redevelop and refurbish its art galleries.

National Museum Wales has revealed a major development initiative that promises to improve the nation’s history, art and science collections.

Details of the plans will be revealed by the new Heritage Minister, Alun Ffred Jones at 3pm on August 5 2008, when he launches the Museum’s new publication,100 + celebrating the centenary: planning for the future at the National Eisteddfod in Cardiff.

Changes to the way objects are displayed, innovative storytelling techniques and enhanced collections are at the heart of the redevelopment initiative, which comes following a series of consultations with visitors who shared their views and ideas with Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales.

Included in the proposals is a ten-year strategy to redevelop St Fagans, the country’s most popular visitor attraction as a National History Museum for Wales. The aim is to put the buildings and collections into the wider context and national history of Wales, by moving archaeology from National Museum Cardiff to St Fagans.

At the National Museum Cardiff measures to improve the collection and establish a National Art Gallery for Wales are already underway. Work began in May 2006 on a complete redevelopment and refurbishment of the art galleries and by 2009 the full range of the museum’s art collection will be shown as a brand new display in one continuous series of galleries.

Dawnswyr Caerdydd Folk Dancers - a traditional side of Welshness at St Fagans National History Museum. Courtesy National Museums Wales

Promoting science in Wales, and Welsh science to the World has also been flagged as a priority. There will be improvements to the science displays at National Museum Cardiff, Cathays Park to give the museum a better platform from which to contribute to contemporary debates about climate change and to help people understand today’s environmental crisis.

The museum will also continue to conduct further research to monitor the changes to the natural world.

“I love museums and galleries - they make us consider why the present is at it is, and what the future might hold,” said Michael Houlihan, Director General, Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales. “We want to continue to enthuse our visitors, offering the opportunity to learn through collection items, be inspired and feel connected to the Museums as iconic symbols of what Wales is all about.”

Visitors to the Eisteddfod will also have the opportunity to feedback their thoughts on the future of Museums in Wales via a series of talks that will be held at Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales’ stand at the National Eisteddfod.

Hefin Jones from Cardiff University will be focusing on science (Wednesday August 6, 2pm); and Keeper of Social & Cultural History, Beth Thomas will lead a debate on the past and future of St Fagans: National History Museum (Saturday August 9, 3pm).

Amgueddfa Cymru operates seven national museums across Wales. These are National Museum Cardiff, St Fagans: National History Museum, National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon, Big Pit: National Coal Museum, Blaenafon, National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre, National Slate Museum, Llanberis and the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.