In amongst a budget that includes cuts to the arts to the tune of $87.1 million over four years, one arts organisation has something to smile about. The Australian Ballet School (ABS) will received $1 million from the Federal Government towards the building of a student residence.
The ABS is thrilled by the news of the funding says ABS chairman, Cmr Leigh Johns. “As a dance community we thank the Attorney [General, Senator Brandis] for his advocacy in support of this important project,” he says. “These capital funds are essential for the duty of care owed to students and the need to be able to attract and retain the best talent for the national school and the Australian Ballet as the country's premier international performing arts company.”
For the school’s director Marilyn Rowe OBE, who will retire from the position at the end of this year, the establishment of a student residence for the school has been a long-held dream. “Achieving a student residence is the last outstanding part of the vision I set for the school when I commenced as its director 16 years ago,” she remarks. “As the ABS celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year, there is no better way to mark that historic achievement than to secure a student residence. It’s a wonderful announcement.”
The ABS Board’s plans for the residence will be achieved in two stages, as past attempts have revealed that it is not feasible to obtain funding for a residence for all 70 interstate/intrastate students. Stage 1 aims to secure a residence to accommodate around 40 younger students. The stage 2 plan is to secure more self sufficient accommodation (e.g. apartments) for older students.
Thanks to a significant donation of $1 million and many years of fundraising, the ABS is now in a position to contribute around $3.5m from its balance sheet toward the purchase of a residence. The Federal Government’s contribution of $1million will greatly assist the ABS to fund a purchase when a suitable property is identified.
Students of the Australian Ballet School. Photo: Sergey Konstantinov.
