Swansea’s Dylan centre in running for national award

The permanent Dylan Thomas exhibition and learning facility based in the Dylan Thomas Centre has been shortlisted for the best small museum category in the Kids in Museums Awards 2023.

The prestigious awards are highly coveted and celebrate museums that create outstanding experiences for children and families.

Swansea Council run the centre’s Love the Words exhibition and engagement programme, which offer visitors a unique and immersive introduction to the life and work of Swansea-born Thomas, one of the UK’s most renowned poets.

Cllr Elliott King, Swansea Council’s cabinet member for culture, human rights and equalities, said: “We’re delighted to be shortlisted for this award. It reflects our commitment to making the Love the Words exhibition at the Dylan Thomas Centre, a fun and inspiring place for children and families.

“Thomas was a playful and imaginative writer who loved words and the images they can conjure in people’s minds, and we want to share his passion with our younger visitors inspiring them to love words.

“We are very grateful to Kids in Museums and those families who nominated the exhibition for recognising our efforts.”

Through its interactive displays, audio-visual materials, children’s trail and original artefacts, centre visitors of all ages can explore the rich and diverse legacy of the poet, as well as his connections to Swansea and the wider world. The exhibition is illuminated by a range of activities and events for children and young people of all ages.

The families nominating the Dylan Thomas Centre for the award were full of praise for its family friendly welcome and facilities.

Comments from one family said: “Whenever we attend the museum with our two-year-old the staff make her feel so welcome. The facilities are child friendly; she loves some of the activities and she’ll love even more of them when she’s older. It’s one of the most kid-friendly places we’ve been to, certainly the most kid-friendly museum.”

Another family said: “Really impressed with the plethora of activities at the Dylan Thomas Centre! They range from colouring, word searches, codes and puzzles to creative activities like writing stories and making mini theatres. We enjoyed the museum trail & loved all the interactive child-friendly exhibits. The staff couldn’t be lovelier or more helpful. I felt extremely comfortable sending my six-year-old to ask for something – they couldn’t do enough to help.”

The Kids in Museums Awards are organised by Kids in Museums, a national charity that works with museums to make them more welcoming and accessible for families. The winners will be announced in October.

(Lead image: Swansea Council)