A STEINWAY grand piano will hold pride of place in the recital hall of the proposed $20million Orange Regional Conservatorium development.
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While the building project is still in the design stage, the Orange Regional Conservatorium yesterday secured $250,000 in state government funding to be put towards a top-of-the-line concert piano.
"We're putting in a world-class grand piano to draw world-class performances and touring artists and giving our community a legacy that will live for a long time," Orange Regional Conservatorium director Donna Riles said.
Mrs Riles said the Steinway concert piano that will be purchased was handmade in Germany with a price-tag of around $280,000. She said the Conservatorium will make up the balance.
Detailed plans for the Conservatorium's new building, which will be built behind the Civic Centre near March Street, are almost complete with the project to go to tender next year.
"Hlopefully the first sod will be turned around mid to late 2022 and the project will be finished by late 2023," Mrs Riles said.
NSW government Minister for the Arts Don Harwin was in Orange on Friday to announce the grant and said the funding would help give regional and rural residents access to quality cultural infrastructure.
Mrs Riles said the Conservatorium was grateful for the vision shown by the government in allocating the grant to a country area.
"Sometimes the great divide is more than just geographical," she said. "To have a world class piano in Orange that will attract high-quality musicians and performers is wonderful."
Mr Harwin was accompanied by Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier Sam Farraway for the announcement which came as part of the first round of Minor Works and Equipment Projects through the NSW Government's Creative Capital program.
Orange Regional Conservatorium was one of 60 recipients sharing over $6 million delivered across the state to support the development of new and upgraded cultural infrastructure and equipment for museums, theatres, performance spaces, galleries and Aboriginal Keeping Places.
Mr Farraway said he welcomed the NSW Government's investment in quality arts venues which will help boost tourism and regional economies.
"I am delighted the NSW Government is investing in upgrading and developing our arts and cultural facilities in Orange. This funding will deliver improved facilities for local arts and cultural organisations and help us provide better cultural experiences for our local audiences to enjoy," Mr Farraway said.
"This investment will ensure that no matter where people live across NSW, they will be able to see, make and participate in exciting arts and cultural experiences in state-of-the-art, fit-for-purpose creative spaces."
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