The fund was launched last year to provide $100 million to arts and culture in regional NSW, and the $4 million dollar grant to the gallery is part of the first round of that funding, which covered 68 projects and $50 million.

While the plans are yet to be finalised, the upgrade is expected to double the exhibition space and provide significant storage space, while the small theatrette will be designed to host lectures and community events. 

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro and parliamentary secretary for Western NSW Rick Colless were on hand to make the announcement at the gallery on Saturday alongside gallery director Brad Hammond and Orange City councillors, including mayor Reg Kidd. 

Mr Hammond said he was stoked by the announcement. 

“This is really exciting,” he said.

“It’s a vote of confidence in the visual arts in our region, it’s often the case the visual arts are sidelined and we’re struggling to justify ourselves and this really set us up into the future.”

He said it would help bring more work into Orange, and also give more gallery space to local artists.

“It lets us collect into the future, we’ve got a great collection now and we can expand it, it will enable us to support younger artists and enable us to support meetings for the community in a different kind of way with the theatrette.”

Cr Kidd said the funding would “ensure the future of our gallery”, and also thanked council staff for their efforts in getting the funding for the gallery.

The plan for an extension has been in the pipeline for some time, and when the government announced the grants 12 months ago, council staff already knew what they wanted the future of the space, which helped in the funding process. 

Rick Colless said it was important this sorts of facilities were not just provided, but also enhanced and upgraded to meet demand. 

“Orange is becoming a real culture hub for NSW,” he said. 

“This $4m will enhance that and make Orange a destination for the arts and help build the fabric of this community but also the Western NSW community.

“It’s about providing cultural facilities for regional NSW, all of regional NSW will benefit from this.” 

Mr Colless said the consultation between the council, the gallery, the Friends of the Orange Regional Gallery and the community was important, and a large part of why the grant was successful. 

“It’s important to get feeling on how it’s going to be received and utilised by the community. It’s an absolute no brainer that money should have come here,” he said.

“This is a logical place to spend that money.”

Mr Barilaro was Orange has “set the benchmark” in terms of community infrastructure projects and said it was one of the reasons Orange was “a great regional city”. 

“A lot of other communities probably weren’t ready to put in the quality applications we were looking for and this is a quality application, more exhibition space, more storage space, a small theatrette,” he said.  

“I know it already drives 25,000 people to Orange… I’m confident Orange will be one of these regional centres people will flock to, not just for artists but also to see some of the best exhibitions. I congratulate the gallery, the council and the community.”

“It shows the focus of Liberals and Nationals that when you balance the books we can actually invest in those added benefits.

“Rick Colless has been partnering and communicating with the council and has been watching it go through the process to make sure it was never dropped off, making sure Orange gets its fair share. 

“We want to invest in those regional towns that I believe are those showcase cities to drive investment into regional NSW.”