The NSW Minister for the Arts, Ben Franklin, joined by Sam Farraway MLC , has announced $5M funding under the NSW State Government Creative Capital grant scheme. The grant gives the green light to a state-of-the-art Conservatorium of Music for Orange, co-located with a planetarium in the Byng Street civic precinct.
The project had previously secured funding support from Orange City Council and the Federal Government, so the NSW Government grant makes good the $25M required for the state-of-the art facility.
For Donna Riles, the Director of the Conservatorium, this is a dream come true. ‘But it is not only dreams. It’s been years of dedication and hard work by so many members of our music community,’ she said.
ORC Chair Pam Ryan acknowledged the generous support of all levels of government, State, Federal and Local. ‘A special mention to Orange City Council, not only for their pitch perfect preparation of the grant submission, but for their vision for music in our city,’ she said.
The Orange Regional Conservatorium has long outgrown its current home on Hill Street which it has occupied since 1994. An organisation that had its roots in two small cottages in Lords Place, now boasts a community of 1800 participants, 41 community groups and 42 staff.
Although the funds confirm the completion of the buildings, much work still lies ahead for the Conservatorium community. The fit out of rooms, purchase of instruments and other inclusions will be its responsibility. So, it will now be full steam ahead on fundraising.
Details on supporting the fundraising campaign will soon appear on the Conservatorium website: https://orangecon.org.au/