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Funding for a business case and master plan to restore Brisbane’s heritage-listed Old Museum — home of Queensland Youth Orchestras (QYO) — was approved in yesterday’s Queensland Budget 2022-23, following an unprecedented $20 million pledge to QYO.
The $1.6 million investment will investigate the feasibility of a full restoration of the beloved Old Museum.
The $20 million pledge to QYO has been made by a philanthropist who wishes to remain anonymous, but would like to see a full restoration of The Old Museum, with QYO’s long-term future in the venue secured.
Queensland Youth Orchestras President Ian Walker said: "The State Government’s business case funding, coupled with this $20 million commitment, presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to conserve and revitalise The Old Museum's rich heritage.”
“The Old Museum contains Brisbane’s first Concert Hall, in which stars like Dame Nellie Melba and Percy Grainger performed between 1891 and 1934. QYO has used the building for rehearsals, performances and administration since 1989, so we are also a big part of the building’s history.
“However, our vision for the restoration would make it possible for us to share these heritage spaces with all of Queensland. In addition to creating a world-class, medium-sized concert hall, a full restoration would include the construction of additional rehearsal and administrative facilities for QYO, and a re-purposing of the Exhibition Hall and basement spaces for all creative Queenslanders to use and enjoy," Mr Walker said.
Queensland Youth Orchestras Director of Music Simon Hewett sees the pledge as an acknowledgement of the extraordinary role QYO has played in the training of young Queensland musicians since 1966.
“QYO has been training musicians to a world-class standard for generations, and our top orchestra, the Queensland Youth Symphony, is one of the best youth orchestras in the world,” Mr Hewett said.
“A restored Old Museum will be an investment in the future of music education in Queensland, allowing us to enhance and expand our programs, and offer even more young musicians access to the fulfilment that great musical experiences provide.
“At QYO, we create connection for young people through music, which fosters lifelong well-being and resilience.”
Unlike Sydney and Melbourne, Brisbane is yet to have a medium-sized, public concert hall with the capacity to house a symphony orchestra.
QYO believes a revitalised Old Museum would be of incomparable value to the many orchestras, choirs, ensembles, chamber music groups, schools and community groups for whom the QPAC Concert Hall is too big and too expensive to hire.
“As Brisbane looks to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond, if we want to assume an identity as a truly global city, it is critical to invest in our cultural infrastructure,” Mr Walker said.
“The $20 million pledge to QYO, and the funding of the business case by the State Government, offers an exciting opportunity for us all to reimagine how The Old Museum can continue to serve QYO, and the rest of Queensland, well into the future.”
