Winners of the 2015 Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards
The winners of the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards were announced by Carrillo Gantner AO, Chair of the Sidney Myer Fund at the Sydney Opera House on Thursday 21 January 2016.
Now in its 32nd year, the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards are one of the richest and most coveted awards in the performing arts in Australia.
Dark Mofo and Mofo festivals are joint winners of the Group Award ($45,000 to each festival).
The multi-talented Ursula Yovich is the Individual Winner ($60,000).
Daniel Clarke, who transformed Theatre Works to become one of Melbourne’s leading theatre venues, has been awarded the Facilitator’s Prize ($25,000).
This year, the Awards have increased in value with the annual Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards now valued at $175,000. Not only do the Awards celebrate excellence in the performing arts but are crucial in their support for this sector.
‘In a very troubled world, the arts shine a beacon on our shared humanity – illuminating all that is good; challenging us to question our views and the way we live. This can only make us stronger and more aware as individuals and together as a society. As testament to this, we have increased the value of the Awards, so that they are free to flourish and renew,’ says Carrillo GantnerAO, Chair of the Sidney Myer Fund.
The Trustees of the Sidney Myer Foundation believe that real achievement should be recognised and rewarded. To date they have awarded well over $3 million adjusted to present day values
Announced annually, the national awards are determined by a Judging Committee chaired by Carrillo Gantner AO (Chair of the Sidney Myer Fund) and this year they included: Louise Herron AM, Noel Staunton, Sarah Neal, Iain Grandage and John Bailey.
The Judging Committee recognises past achievements but also gives consideration to the potential of an individual or group to continue their contribution to Australian society through the performing arts.
The Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards were established in 1984 by the Trustees of the Sidney Myer Fund, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of Sidney Myer, a passionate advocate and great friend to the arts