The National Museums and Galleries of Wales (NMGW) is keen to hear the views of the public on how the nation's canvas treasures should be presented.

The debate is really about the identity of the collection and the way it is presented

Mike Tooby, Director of National Museum and Gallery

Following a year-long investigation involving workshops and debates, NMGW has published a consultation document, called Views of the Future, containing a series of options for the display of Welsh art.

Among the proposals are building a new dedicated gallery and adding a new wing to the National Museum in Cardiff.

The concept of putting more art online is also being considered, as well as creating a network of galleries across the country.

Director of the National Museum and Gallery in Cardiff, Mike Tooby said it was important that "every consideration" was brought into view.

The NMGW has now opened a six week period in which the public and interested parties can respond - the initial closing date for responses is 31 July.

The Views of the Future document is available on the NMGW's website.

No rush

Most of the collection of Welsh art is largely on display in the National Museum and Gallery in Cardiff, and the NMGW are not keen to change for change's sake.

The Visual Arts Centre in Cardiff shut after 14 months

"The debate is really about the identity of the collection and the way it is presented," said Mr Tooby.

"One of the exciting things about the museum is finding Cezannes when you are looking for dinosaurs - we want people to discuss the pros and cons of collection's separate identity."

"We want to take our time. We don't want to feel that, on such an important issue, we rush into something that won't work."

Its publication coincides with a Welsh Assembly Audit Committee report on the Centre for Visual Arts in Cardiff.

The ill-fated centre failed to attract a paying public, and closed after just over a year.

The Audit Committee report has blamed major failures in the Arts Council's systems and processes for the centre's closure.

It said that the centre "soaked up" �4mn worth of Arts Council funding that could have been spent on other projects.