Major Boost for Arts Philanthropy in Australia
12 February 2010 at 2:29 pm
In a major boost for arts philanthropy in Australia, the Australian Ballet has received its largest performing arts gift worth $8 million from the Ian Potter Foundation.
In recognition of the Ballet company’s forthcoming 50th anniversary, The Ian Potter Foundation has made a major donation of $8 million towards the redevelopment of the company’s 22-year-old headquarters, education programmes and other projects.
The company’s Chairman Knoblanche says the donation is the largest in its history and a significant milestone for The Australian Ballet. The Ian Potter Foundation is one of Australia’s leading private philanthropic organisations with a long-term association with The Australian Ballet.
As well, the Australian Ballet has announced that it will name its Melbourne headquarters ‘The Primrose Potter Australian Ballet Centre’ to honour an extraordinary 35-year involvement with the company by Lady Potter AC.
Chris Knoblanche says the company wants to pay tribute to Lady Potter’s integral role in fundraising for the organisation.
He says Primrose Potter has been intrinsically involved with The Australian Ballet for over three decades and the lead up to their 50th anniversary in 2012 is a wonderful opportunity to recognise those who have contributed to their success.
He says naming our Melbourne headquarters The Primrose Potter Australian Ballet Centre will align Lady Potter’s charitable work to an internationally-renowned and iconic Australian institution that she has been tirelessly supporting for so many years.
Charles Goode, Chairman of The Ian Potter Foundation says one of the Foundation’s core principles is to encourage excellence and few organisations exemplify this so well as The Australian Ballet.
Lady Potter, a Life Governor of The Ian Potter Foundation, became formally involved with The Australian Ballet following her marriage in 1975 to Sir Ian Potter who was a founding board member of the company through The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust.
She has been The Australian Ballet’s President of Annual Giving since 1992, a position she still holds today. She was made an Honorary Life Member in 2000.
Following the announcement Lady Potter said the Australian Ballet had been part of her life for over three decades and it’s lovely and humbling to think that the company’s head quarters will be named after her.
