Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD) Institutional Archive

This collection consists of the institutional records of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama from its foundation in 1949 to the present. The archive include records of past students, information on teaching, programmes and photographs of performances, prospectuses, and records relating to estates, planning and events.

Founded in 1949, the Royal Welsh College was originally named Cardiff College of Music. The College later changed its name to the Welsh College of Music and Drama before being awarded its Royal title in The Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002. The College aims to provide education in music and drama. It was originally under Local Authority control but, from the opening of the College, degrees were awarded by the University of Wales. It joined the University of Wales in 2004, before leaving in 2007. The College then went on to join the University of Glamorgan in 2007 and became part of the University of South Wales (along with the University of Glamorgan and the University of Newport) in 2013. The College was originally housed in Cardiff Castle until 1977 when it moved to purpose-built accommodation on the edge of Bute Park, Cardiff.

Access is subject to statutory and legal requirements, as defined under data protection, freedom of information, copyright and other relevant legislation. Records containing confidential information about staff or students, sensitive personal data about individuals and confidential business information which would ordinarily be restricted under the Freedom of Information Act are not fully open to the public until 100 years after they were created or the individual involved has died (where applicable).

Access is by appointment only and will be granted in the library under supervision of library staff.