In April, Craig Drummond was appointed Chair of our Board of Trustees, taking over from Charles Goode AC, who has held the position since the Trust was established in 1993. We acknowledge and thank Charles Goode for his dedicated service over 31 years. Under his leadership, the Trust awarded over $13 million in grants to support artists undertaking professional development to contribute to Australia's vibrant, diverse arts sector.
We can also now announce that the Trust will join the Sidney Myer Fund in supporting originating artists and cultural leaders through its Creative Fellowship program. From 2024, The Trust will award two Ian Potter Creative Fellowships annually. They will have the same value, criteria, and structure as the Sidney Myer Creative Fellowships and will be determined in the same selection process. The Fellowships will provide unrestricted, tax-free grants of $200,000 over two years to individual Australian artists, creatives, and cultural leaders. Details on the nomination process can be found on our website.
In February, cellist Mee Na Lojewski and violist Katie Yap commenced as the inaugural Ian Potter Emerging Performers Fellows. These Fellowships are a joint initiative of the Trust and the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) to support ANAM alumni in pursuing performance careers outside the traditional full-time orchestral or teaching pathways. Each Fellowship provides $100,000 and mentoring support over two years – an investment in the Fellow's career development as an independent performer. We look forward to following Lojewski and Yap’s professional journeys over the next two years. Read more about their career development goals and artistic ambitions in Meet our Emerging Performers Fellows.
Last month, the Trust awarded $344,584 in Emerging Artist Grants to 29 artists. Congratulations to all our latest grantees. We are excited to see what you make of your overseas opportunities and projects. A complete list of our most recent grantees can be found in the Trust's Grants Database.
Lastly, I wish to introduce a new staff member, Coral East, to the Administration & HR Manager role. Coral joined us in March, taking over from Gail Lewry, who retired after 17 years at the Trust. We thank Gail for her contribution to the Trust.
Paul Conroy, Chief Executive Officer
Level 3, 111 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Australia
ABN: 65807851867
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.