The Prince of Wales Medal comes to Wales
David and Philippa Seligman have become the first Welsh recipients of The Prince
of Wales Medal for Arts Philanthropy. This award recognises the generosity with
which the Seligmans have donated their time and passion to the arts over the last
40 years, as well as their significant financial contributions. The Seligmans will
receive their Award from the Prince at St. James’s Palace on November 22.
Collectively, the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Wales Millennium Centre and Sherman
Cymru nominated the couple for the Prince of Wales Medal. “The contribution to cultural life in
Wales made by David and Philippa is quite exceptional,” said Lord Rowe-Beddoe, President of the
Royal Welsh College and Life President of Wales Millennium Centre. “They are not only passionate
about the arts, but are committed to making the arts more widely available.”
Hilary Boulding, Principal of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama said, “We’re delighted that
their contribution to the arts in Wales has been recognised in this way. The Seligmans are familiar
faces around the College, directly supporting our students through the David & Philippa Seligman
Opera Scholarships. They’re also major supporters of the College’s landmark new facilities which are
due to open in May 2011.”
The Seligman’s generous financial support and guidance has helped innumerable Welsh arts
organisations. Amongst these are Welsh National Opera, of which they are both long-time
supporters, and St David’s Hall. David was a pivotal figure in helping establish St David’s Hall in 1976.
Their generous support is recognised in the naming of the Seligman Room at Wales Millennium
Centre and the Seligman Studio at RWCMD (currently under construction).
“David is an absolute gentleman,” adds Emyr Jenkins, Chairman of Sherman Cymru. “When I
suggested he join the board as Vice-Chair, he said that he felt ‘very flattered to be asked’. That, to
me, typified the modesty and self-effacing nature of the man.”
As well being Deputy Chairman of Sherman Cymru, David is also a trustee of Arts 2 Arts, a charity
that supports educational work at St David’s Hall.
David was awarded an OBE in 2000 for services to the community and in 2003 received the first
Western Mail and Echo Lifetime Achievement Award for services to the legal profession and the
wider community.
Philippa Seligman received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Glamorgan, while David
has received is a Fellow of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and Cardiff University.
Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
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Coleg Brenhinol Cerdd a Drama Cymru
Maes y Castell
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Editors Notes
1. The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama is the National Conservatoire of Wales, providing
specialist practical and performance-based training that enables students to enter and influence the
music, theatre and related professions. The College is part of the University of Glamorgan Group.
2. The Prince of Wales is Patron of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. In June 2009 he
invited a group of students to perform at his Welsh residence at Llwynywermod, and later recorded
a special video message for the College’s graduation ceremony. Earlier in 2010 Prince Charles hosted
a Royal Gala for the College at Buckingham Palace, to mark the end of the College 60th Anniversary
celebrations.
3. The College is currently completing its £22.5m capital development project. The project began
construction in the summer of 2009and is due for completion in the Spring of 2011. It will include;
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The 160 seat state-of-the-art Richard Burton Theatre with a dress circle and teaching gallery.
A 450 capacity world-class Concert Hall for rehearsals, public recitals and master-classes.
An Exhibition Arcade to display our award-winning theatre and costume designs.
Four new full-sized, double height Acting and Movement Studios with the same 'footprint' as
the Theatre.
A new ‘Front Door’ to the College opening onto a central Foyer and performance spaces.
A new Café Bar and Terrace overlooking historic Bute Park.
This landmark development will mark a new gateway to Cardiff City from the north. It will provide
first-class facilities for the College, attracting new audiences to both our students’ performances and
the regular masterclasses given by international artists, as well as increasing opportunities for local
performing arts organisations to promote their work.
4. To see a video ‘flythrough’ of the Royal Welsh College’s new facilities go to :
www.rwcmd.ac.uk/thebiggive .
Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
Castle Grounds
Cathays Park
Cardiff CF10 3ER
Coleg Brenhinol Cerdd a Drama Cymru
Maes y Castell
Parc Cathays
Caerdydd CF10 3ER
T | +44 (0)29 2034 2854
F | +44 (0)29 2039 1304
info@rwcmd.ac.uk
www.rwcmd.ac.uk