Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards reward creativity and innovation

Creativity, innovation and determination have been rewarded in the annual Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards.

The winners for the 2016 Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards are Gavin Webber, Co-Artistic Director of Queensland’s The Farm – winner of the Individual Award, worth $60,000; the NSW-based Australian Theatre for Young People – winner of the Group Award, worth $90,000 and Kathy Burns, Artistic Director of Barkly Regional Arts in the Northern Territory – winner of the Facilitator’s Prize, worth $25,000.

The awards were announced and presented by Carrillo Gantner, Chair of the Sidney Myer Fund in Melbourne on Tuesday 4th April 2017.

Gavin Webber is co-Artistic Director of THE FARM with Grayson Millwood. They create physical performances that show the fragility and strength of the human condition. THE FARM has toured internationally and nationally to critical acclaim.

Webber spent the majority of his early performance career with Meryl Tankard ADT and Belgi​​an company Ultima Vez.

Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) exists to connect with young people to help find their voice and together, inspire all Australians. ATYP believe that an involvement in theatre builds better people – theatre develops confidence, creativity and community. It challenges our community to reflect on and better understand ourselves and the society of which we are a part.

ATYP work with all levels of the arts industry, from the most celebrated national companies to the smallest youth theatres. ATYP supports young people from their first theatre experience to their first professional production.

Kathy Burns is Artistic Director, Barkly Regional Arts . Since 2011 she has been working in very remote Indigenous communities implementing arts programs ranging from music, film, visual arts, dance and theatre for all ages. As the Artistic Director, Kathy creates all program projects across the multi-arts organisation, ensuring quality engagement and innovative opportunities for the community and service organisations to be involved.

Announcing the winners, Gantner stated “the Sidney Myer Fund is delighted to recognise the invaluable contribution that each of these wonderful winners makes to the arts in Australia and to the wider community.

“It is the dynamic and tireless work of these, and indeed so many other artists perusing their visions that greatly enriches our lives and helps build a more cohesive Australian society. I congratulate each of them.”

The Trustees of the Sidney Myer Foundation believe that real achievement should be recognised and rewarded.

Now in its 33rd year, it has awarded over $3.5 million.

The national Awards are determined by a Judging Committee chaired by Gantner and this year they included: Iain Grandage, Louise Herron, Lindy Hume, Andrew Ross and Noel Staunton.

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.

Image shows the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards winners, from right : Top Right – Mark Warburton (Chair, ATYP), Amy Maiden (General Manager, ATYP), Carrillo Gantner AO (Chairman, Sidney Myer Foundation), Kathy Burns (Artistic Director, Barkly Arts), Gavin Webber (The Farm), Fraser Corfield (Artistic Director, ATYP). Courtesy of Fiona Hamilton. 

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