Central Coast To Benefit From Cultural Investment

The NSW Government has today committed $610,000 for two of the leading cultural organisations on the Central Coast.

In September 2019 the NSW Government announced $2 million to transform the Central Coast Conservatorium. With works now well underway the NSW Government will provide a further $80,000 for the installation of a brand new roof over its courtyard. The new roof will improve the visitor experience, make the teaching spaces more functional and will provide weather protection for both students and their instruments.

Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said Central Coast audiences and artists would benefit from this investment into the Central Coast Conservatorium, which provides great cultural offerings for local audiences and career pathways for Central Coast residents.

“We are committed to supporting the development of cultural infrastructure that is accessible and fit-for-purpose, and that enhances the visitor experiences.”

The renowned dance school, the National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association (NAISDA) is also set to benefit. The NSW Government is committing $530,000 for a Final Business Case to establish Naya Wa Yugali, Australia’s Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Creative Learning.

“With 13 of the 16 Bangarra Dance Theatre dancers currently performing in Sandsong at the Sydney Opera House being former students of NAISDA, there is absolutely no doubt the impact of NAISDA is profound,” Mr Harwin said.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said the local community is receiving its fair share of arts funding from the NSW Government.

“The NSW Government has supported many Aboriginal organisations so it makes perfect sense for NAISDA to expand their facilities, and this funding announcement will help the organisation to do exactly that,” Mr Crouch said.

“The $80,000 being provided to the Conservatorium of Music will deliver better facilities for its hundreds of students and dozens of teachers, and builds on the $2 million commitment that the Premier, Minister Harwin and I were very proud to make in 2019.”

Established in 1975, NAISDA is Australia’s only arts training organisation delivering nationally-accredited performing arts courses and qualifications specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. NAISDA Dance College will receive $530,000 funding to commission their final business case to establish Naya Wa Yugali, a space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural education, practice, creative arts and economic development on a national and international scale.

Established in 1987, the Central Coast Conservatorium is a community-based, not-for-profit organisation, delivering more than 400 hours per week of music tuition to more than 1,400 students of all ages. The Central Coast Conservatorium will receive $80,000 funding to complete refurbishment and upgrade works currently underway.