Welsh heritage minister Alun Ffred Jones has announced that Professor Dai Smith will remain as Arts Council of Wales (ACW) chair for a further three years when his current tenure ends next year.

The re-appointment of Smith means that he will continue to lead the organisation until 31 March 2013, having previously held the position of editor at BBC Radio Wales and research chair in the Cultural History of Wales at Swansea University. Jones said: "Professor Smith's considerable knowledge and experience in the arts sector will be valuable over the next three years as the sector faces a challenging time and as we work to meet commitments in the One Wales document."

Smith added: "I have no doubt that the creativity and vitality of the arts in Wales is ever more essential to our development as a civic society of weight and purpose. The challenges on many fronts may be severe but our resolve will be equal to them.