The 2022 Creative Partnerships Awards have been announced; they recognise remarkable people who generously provide support to enhance the Australian arts and culture sector.
This year, the Awards celebrate and acknowledge nine exemplary leaders in private giving, philanthropy and business partnerships with the arts:
• Arts Visionary Award – Ulrike Klein
• Philanthropy Leadership Award – Neilson Foundation
• Philanthropy Leadership Award – Paul Taylor
• Business Leadership Award – John Albrecht
• Emerging Philanthropy Leadership Award – Helen and Melissa Macfarlane
• Arts Leadership Award – Barbara Moore
Creative Partnerships Australia CEO Fiona Menzies said: “The partnerships and relationships formed between this year’s recipients and the arts organisations they support are characterised by a mutual understanding of the value of the arts and culture in the Australian community.”
With more than500 campaigns on the Australian Cultural Fund platform in the past 12 months, Creative Partnerships Australia saw an increase in donor support for the arts sector like never before.
Last year, the Australian Cultural Fund received donations from 9192 art lovers and philanthropists, of which 8201 were first-time donors. The fund achieved its highest result of over $9.5 million, which was bolstered by contributions of multi-million-dollar gifts from philanthropic foundations through the new Amplify program.
Ulrike Klein is passionate about the arts, particularly music, and in 2009 founded Ngeringa Arts, now known as UKARIA. Together with her family she funded the construction of a state-of-the-art and environmentally sustainable cultural centre with a 220-seat concert hall at its heart. Her vision is to build a legacy for future generations and to enrich Australian culture.
The Neilson Foundation has been a significant supporter of almost every performing arts organisation in Sydney and many more elsewhere in Australia. Led by Kerr Neilson and his daughters Paris and Beau, the Foundation has gifted more than $140 million in the past 15 years, with a particular focus on helping to build the capacity of the organisations it supports.
Paul Taylor is a generous donor to arts organisations across Australia, including Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane Festival, National Gallery of Australia and Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. Paul’s commitment to the arts extends to all levels, from small to medium organisations as well as the work of contemporary artists, whose
work he collects and has helped commission.
John Albrecht is the Chairman and Head of Important Collections at Leonard Joel. In 2009, he initiated a partnership with Arts Projects Australia that has included hosting high profile art auctions and creating a traineeship program. John has also introduced new policies regarding the consignment of Australian Indigenous art and a cessation of trade in rhinoceros horn and elephant ivory.
Helen and Melissa Macfarlane established The Macfarlane Fund in memory of Don Macfarlane, philanthropist and former CEO of Amcor, and a life-long arts enthusiast. The fund is designed to support and champion Australian artists, through a program of residencies, exhibitions, commissions and awards.
Barbara Moore is Chief Executive Officer of the Biennale of Sydney and a passionate advocate for the arts. With over 20 years in the in the arts, her experience includes the private, public and not for profit sectors. Barbara was recently a member of the Australian Federal Government’s Creative Economy Taskforce and is currently a Board Member of the International Biennale Association.