Minderoo Foundation to contribute $30 million towards performing arts venues at new WAAPA campus

The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), which is relocating to Edith Cowan University’s City Campus in the Perth suburb of Northbridge, is to benefit from a $30 million 25-year partnership with Nicola and Andrew Forrest’s Minderoo Foundation.

As part of what will be the largest philanthropic contribution ever made to Australia’s performing arts sector, $23 million will be spent on fitting out eight new performing arts spaces with state-of-the-art technology, lighting and sound equipment.

The spaces will include a recital hall, playhouse, dance, flex and Aboriginal theatres, a jazz and contemporary music studio and rehearsal spaces.

With Edith Cowan University’s 65,000 square metre city campus set to open by 2026, WAAPA is set to improve the connection between Northbridge and the CBD, by bringing more than 10,000 staff and students to the city.

As reported by The West Australian, more than 300 performances will be held at the new venues each year, bringing in audiences, and giving students much-needed experience on stage.

A further $7 million will be put in a fund to attract world-leading performers and artists to teach at WAAPA for year-long residencies.

WAAPA’s famous alumni include Hollywood actor Hugh Jackman, four-time Gold Logie winner Lisa McCune, Stranger Things star Dacre Montgomery and the Forrest’s own child Sophia - who recently starred in the Black Swan Theatre Company’s production of Prima Facie.

Announcing the funding, Nicola Forrest stated “I am proud that Minderoo Foundation can support Edith Cowan University’s visionary approach for WAAPA to be one of the world’s best-performing arts institutions.

“By enabling new generations to experience the transformative power of performance, we can harness the extraordinary ability of the arts to inspire, unite and uplift communities.”

ECU Vice-Chancellor Professor Clare Pollock said the “unprecedented” partnership would give the next generation more opportunities in the arts, advising “the investment will support the world’s best in stage engineering, acoustics, lighting and audio-visual technology to deliver eight new world-class performance venues within WAAPA, which will further bolster Perth’s burgeoning cultural precinct.

“This investment takes our enduring relationship to new heights and will deliver enormous benefits for students, the arts and the community, with impacts that our State can take great pride in.”

ECU’s $853 million campus will also see the relocation of business and law, and emerging technologies students to the city.

Western Australian Premier Roger Cook said the campus would transform Perth’s fabric, noted “the relocation of these Western Australian institutions will draw thousands of students, staff and audience members into our city centre, driving economic activity, supporting businesses and creating a thriving and vibrant CBD day and night.

“The bigger picture for the future of performing arts in WA is beginning to emerge, with remarkable talent set to pass through the doors of ECU City WAAPA in 2026.”

The Western Australian Government has also recently announced a $150 million redevelopment of the Perth Concert Hall and the long-awaited transformation of the Perth Cultural Centre.

Images: Concepts for WAAPA's new performing arts and related spaces at Edith Cowan University’s City Campus in the Perth suburb of Northbridge. Credit: WAAPA.