St Donats Arts Centre’s Mission

To develop St Donats Arts Centre as a Centre of Excellence for the Arts & Education in Wales and advance international understanding through the Arts.”

History & Development

St Donats Arts Centre is an independent arts charity housed within the site of Atlantic College at St Donats Castle, 2.5 miles from Llantwit Major and 22 miles west of Cardiff. The Centre grew out of the use of the medieval Tythe Barn at St Donats; converted for the artistic activities of Atlantic College in the early 1970s. In 1976 it was established as an independent limited company and registered charity, to serve as an Arts Centre for the communities of the Vale of Glamorgan. In 1977 work began on the major development of the Tythe Barn, converting it into a professionally equipped performance venue with additional exhibition and office space.

During the 1980s the centre was instrumental in establishing Music Theatre Wales and continued its involvement in music through the work of the Vale of Glamorgan Festival.  In 1993 the Centre launched the renowned Wales International Storytelling Festival, Beyond the Border. In 1995 the Centre drew up plans for a major capital redevelopment. This was largely completed in 1998 with a total £1.25m capital investment from the Welsh Office, The Foundation for Sport and the Arts, The Mousetrap Charitable Trust and the Arts Council of Wales lottery funding.

The resulting facilities for the Centre now include:

• the Tythe Barn Theatre (maximum capacity: 205 seated);
• the Glass Room (maximum capacity: 140 seated)
  • both of which are used for live professional events, community and participatory activities.
• the Gallery which has a regular programme of exhibitions
• a fully equipped meeting room.