West Australian Ballet Co Inc
School in Perth

The history of the building site dates back to 1897 when the Victoria Institute and the Industrial School for the Blind was developed as a piece of the celebrations for the 60th year of Queen Victoria’s reign. The institute originally consisted of a intricate of buildings that were gradually developed throughout the site including a factory, workshops and residential facilities. The institute was officially opened in 1900 and was the only purpose designed and built center of its kind in Western Australia. Chair caning was one of the first taught trades at the institute. Behind the war the economy improved and production began to increase. The center proved to be a significant deposit of assistance for service men that had lost their sight during the war. In 1923, production expanded to basket making and sea grass furniture and soon became some of the more popular products made by the workers. To rectify the situation, the Lotteries Commission and the government contributed more funds and the biggest building development of the sites history began in 1937.This development comprised the shaped building currently filled by West Australian Ballet, and encompassed infrastructure of three preceding buildings joined and combined together. The style of the building is described at interwar Stripped Classical and is identified through elements such as portico, piers, and defined plinth. The style a scale of the building is unusual for its location. The institute was affected again during World War Two and to urge the war effort workers would labor ten days for nine days pay. The factory produced equipment such as nets and baskets for the military. In 1948, the internationally renowned Helen Keller visited the institute and was shocked to discover that children were tranquil educated in an industrial environment. She threw her promote after a proposal by the government to receive handle of educating blind children. A development of fresh residential building was started and included a important showroom on the ground slick for the public. The center was granted a Royal Charter in 1967 and became the Royal WA Institute for the Blind. The mat shop and retail store, known as Cane City, was still a popular and thriving business until 1989 when it was closed because it could no longer compete with worthless imports. The institute finally closed its doors in 2004 and a decision was made to sell the premises. The building remains vacant for numerous years until AB made the discovery. With its tall ceilings, rustic wooded floors, classical charm and character, the building sets a accurate tone for the West Australian Ballet. The building’s disposition provides the artistic team with a creative and innovative backdrop to help in the creation of world class productions.