The emergence of Orange as a major centre for the arts commenced with the Orange Festival of Arts which ran from 1965 to 1989.  Its charter was “to bring the best of the arts to the country”.  The Festival introduced the community to many different forms of art.  It provided the impetus for the enhanced development of the arts in the region.

The construction of the Orange Civic Theatre was completed in 1976. As well as providing a venue for local and national performing arts groups, the property provided space in its foyer for small exhibitions.  

These exhibitions created the need for an appropriate gallery facility.  This led to the opening of the Orange Regional Gallery, which together with the Orange Library, opened in 1986.

In 1984, the Governor General, Sir Ninian Stephen, attended Orange to officially launch the Foundation and the fund that it maintains for the support of the arts in the region.  Over the next nearly 40 years, with the generosity of the community, the fund has continued to build.   It has provided substantial financial support to the arts in the region.

Orange now has the Orange Regional Gallery, the Orange Library, the Civic Theatre, Orange Regional Conservatorium and the Orange Museum.  The Foundation has continued to support these institutions financially as well as emerging artists and projects that have a connection with Orange.

We now live in a rich cultural community and the role of the Foundation continues in supporting and encouraging the ongoing development of this important aspect of Orange life.