Swansea's Dylan Thomas Centre was opened by former US president Jimmy Carter More than 200 writers, artists and supporters of Swansea's Dylan Thomas Centre have signed a letter expressing concerns about its future use.
Dr Who writer Russell T Davies, Cerys Matthews and Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy are among the names calling for it to be run by trust.
Swansea council is looking lease the centre to the city's universities to open a "creative industries hub."
It said the centre would not close and the permanent exhibition would remain.
Supporters' letter“The city is surely going to look a little bizarre, to put it mildly, in the eyes of the wider world if it is seen to have abandoned the Dylan Thomas Centre”
The letter states since the centre was opened 17 years ago by former US president Jimmy Carter it had delivered a programme of literary and artistic events "unparalleled for its variety and excellence by any other arts venue in the United Kingdom".
It adds: "The centre has celebrated the literary arts of Wales, in addition to music, drama and the visual arts, and has attracted to Swansea a panoply of internationally renowned writers who, returning home, have burnished the renown of Swansea and Wales in all parts of the world."
The signatories, who also include Hollywood actor Michael Sheen, theatre director Michael Bogdanov and Thomas's son Colm, say with the 100th anniversary of the poet's birth in 2014 a trust would be the best way to safeguard its future.
"Plans are currently being laid, locally and nationally, for celebrations of the 100th anniversary," they added.
"The city is surely going to look a little bizarre, to put it mildly, in the eyes of the wider world if it is seen to have abandoned the Dylan Thomas Centre on the eve of this major national and international celebration."
Writers, actors and musicians have signed the letter Last year Swansea council and universities revealed plans to transform the centre into a "cultural and enterprise hub" for creative industries.
But in response to the letter the council said it was "making serious and significant preparations" for the anniversary with the Welsh Assembly Government and other partners.
"The Dylan Thomas Centre is not threatened with closure," said a spokesman.
"A joint venture alongside the University of Wales will allow us to secure its future during these difficult economic times when finance is limited.
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