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One of the world’s most prestigious art museums could be brought to Wales under ambitious new plans.

The Guggenheim, which currently has galleries in Bilbao, Berlin, Venice, and New York, is considered an architecture icon.

And now a number of influential figures believe Wales should join the “international constellation of museums” who share one of world’s best collections of modern art.

One, former Plaid Cymru MP Adam Price said: “This idea is not just a glint in my eye, we have been in discussions with key stakeholders for the past six months. The Welsh Government have been kept informed as have the Arts Council.

“Preliminary discussions have taken place, with people including the Guggenheim [Foundation], but it is important that an initial decision to go for this must first come from the Welsh public.

“Any potential project would depend on deep-rooted support and we will be seeking that from the Welsh people.”

Mr Price believes Cardiff could emulate the success of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, which has been credited with transforming the Basque city’s fortunes, giving birth to the term “The Guggenheim Effect”.

He said: “The Guggenheim Foundation has long indicated its desire to repeat its success through finding a new Bilbao.

“A Guggenheim would powerfully transform Wales’ international image.”

Other prominent figures supporting the proposal include Lord Dafydd Wigley; Tony Jones, the Emeritus Chancellor of the School of the Chicago Institute of Art; and Yvette Vaughan-Jones, the chief executive of the UK body Visiting Arts.

Potential locations for the Welsh Guggenheim include Cardiff, Swansea, and Pembrokeshire.

Mr Price said: “The capital obviously lends itself as a potential site, as does Swansea with its strong history and connection with the arts.

“But the idea of creating the first ever rural Guggenheim has also been mooted.

“That would be a world first for Wales, and somewhere like Pembrokeshire, with its traditional relationship with landscape art and stunning scenery could work very well.”

He added: “The key is to decide whether such a project would be a good fit for Wales, both culturally and economically.

“One question we need to answer is, would this be a good opportunity for Wales? Clearly most people would agree that it would be.

“The other question is, can we make it work economically? Personally I think we can but it is up to others to decide.”

Mr Price will present his case for a Welsh Guggenheim at Sunday School – a new event that offers a range of inspiring talks hosted in the prestigious Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay on June 2.