St Luke's principal Alanna Otway and Regional Development Minister Terry Redman (centre) with Pilbara Development Commision acting chief executive Tony Hill and chairman Chris Gilmour.

The St Luke's College art centre is to receive $4.69 million of Royalties for Regions funds to upgrade and accommodate an expanded performing arts program, digital photography and astronomy classes.

Regional Development Minister Terry Redman announced the funding for the state-of-the-art upgrade.

St Luke's principal Alanna Otway said the funding was timely given their new performing arts program had proved a hit.

"We were hoping we'd get about 30 students. We had 90 students audition, which was well above expectations," she said.

"We are hoping with the extension to this performing arts centre we can actually make it into a real hub and we can bring community groups in to be more involved.

"I think in terms of facilities we can offer to those community groups who are out there and may be struggling for their own facilities, it will be really good."

Ms Otway said building would start shortly, with doors expected to be open for the start of the 2016 school year.

Once complete, the building is earmarked to accommodate dance schools, community associations, hobby groups, a green room, dressing rooms, an observatory and a photography lab.

Students will be able to study courses such as acting, stage design, visual and multimedia arts and photography.

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St Luke's arts centre in $4.7m expansion