Kylie Minogue and David Blenkinsop Co-recipients of 2013 JC Williamson Award

Pop music icon Kylie Minogue OBE and Arts philanthropist David Blenkinsop CBE AM have been named co-recipients of the 2013 JC Williamson Award by Live Performance Australia (LPA).

The JC Williamson Award is the foremost honour that the Australian live entertainment industry can bestow. In awarding the JC Williamson Award, LPA recognises individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the Australian live entertainment and performing arts industry and shaped the future of our industry for the better. Past winners include such iconic figures as Dame Joan Sutherland OM AC DBE, Barry Humphries AO CBE, Michael Gudinski AM, John Farnham AO and Graeme Murphy AM to name but a few. Both recipients will be honoured at the Helpmann Awards ceremony in Sydney on Monday 29 July.

Kylie Minogue exploded onto the Australian music scene in 1987 and has since become a chart topping, multi award winning global artist and pop icon. She has spent over 25 years in the international spotlight, sold more than 70 million records worldwide and accomplished 10 World Tours.

“My deepest gratitude to Live Performance Australia for the JC Williamson Award. What an honour to be included in such incredibly talented and inspirational company.  A moment like this makes me so proud to represent the Australian entertainment industry.  As a country we have, and we nurture, extraordinary talent.  Long may this continue!  I would also like to thank all my fans who have supported me for so many years and encouraged me to become the artist I am today.  They have all played a role in helping me reach this special moment.  Also, my congratulations to David Blenkinsop whom I am thrilled to be sharing the award with this year!" Kylie said.

David Blenkinsop nurtured and steered the Festival of Perth for 23 years, taking it from a modest, locally-oriented event to an internationally respected annual multi-arts festival, offering some of the world’s best theatre, dance, music, film, visual arts, street art, literature and free community events. The vast range of his Festival offerings attracted a wide variety of patrons. His programming – sometimes audacious, always artistically relevant – took patrons on an adventure, often introducing them to art forms they had not encountered before.

David says of his Award, “Now it is me who is quite overwhelmed and honoured by the fact that ‘Live Performance Australia’ wishes to award me a prestigious JC Williamson Award. It is most gratifying to know that my peers remember not only ‘my’ festivals but also my involvement in other arts’ organizations, and to them all, I say a heartfelt ‘thank you.’”

LPA President Andrew Kay said, “We are thrilled to announce Kylie Minogue and David Blenkinsop as this year’s 2013 JC WILLIAMSON recipients. They join the ranks of a group of individuals who in their own way, and in their own field, have made extraordinary contributions to shaping and changing the landscape of our dynamic live entertainment industry. We are delighted to formally recognise both of their achievements and contributions and celebrate their commitment to the industry at The Helpmann Awards Ceremony on Monday 29^thJuly.

Showbiz Group CEO, Craig McMastersaid; "Showbiz is once again very proud to sponsor the JC Williamson Award and congratulates 2013 recipients Kylie Minogue and David Blenkinsop. On behalf of all our industry colleagues, we thank them for the amazing contribution they have made in helping shape the richness, diversity and global recognition of Australia's live entertainment industry." 

Earlier this week the full list of nominees was announced simultaneously at events in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Hobart. The performing arts community were out in force across the country with record numbers in attendance in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Click here for full list of nominees.

The 13^thAnnual Helpmann Awardswill be presented live in Sydney at Sydney Opera House on Monday 29^thJuly hosted by Eddie Perfect and Christie Whelan Browne, and broadcast on Foxtel’s Arena.

www.helpmannawards.com.au