Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards

The Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards were created in 1984 by the trustees of the Sidney Myer Fund to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of Sidney Myer and ran for 40 years up to and including 2023.[1] The awards were created to commemorate Sidney Myer's life and his love for the arts. They were intended primarily to recognise and reward outstanding achievements in dance, drama, comedy, music, opera, circus and puppetry.

In their final iteration, there was one Individual Award (A$60,000), one Group Award (A$90,000) and one Facilitator's Prize (A$25,000).[2]

The Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards were announced and presented early each year for the preceding year. The awards were decided on a national basis and each nomination was considered by a judging committee. While past achievement was recognised, consideration was also given to the potential of an individual or group to continue their contribution to Australian society through the performing arts into the future.

Awards

Year Individual Award Group Award Facilitator's Prize Ref
2023 Jane Harrison Lucy Guerin Inc Collette Brennan [3]
2022 Eryn Jean Norvill Marrugeku Deirdre O'Brien [4]
2021[a] Clare Watson, James Berlyn, Jenny M Thomas All the Queens Men, Blakdance, Speak Percussion Australian Digital Concert Hall, Erin Milne [5]
2020[a] Kylie Bracknell [Kaarljilba Kaardn], Sally Chance, Robin Fox Metro Arts, Second Echo Ensemble, The Street Theatre Andrew Ford, Sean Pardy
2019 Barrie Kosky Ensemble Offspring Richard Watts [6]
2018 Genevieve Lacey Bleach* Festival Annette Downs [7]
2017 Kate Mulvany Dancenorth Nicole Beyer [8]
2016 Gavin Webber Australian Theatre for Young People Kathy Burns
2015 Ursula Yovich MOFO and DARK MOFO Daniel Clarke
2014 Lally Katz The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra Helen Marcou and Quincy McLean
2013 Daniel Keene and Elena Kats-Chernin CIRCA jointly awarded to Jill Morgan AM and Mohindar Dhillon
2012 Iain Grandage Ilbijerri Theatre Company Philip Rolfe
2011 Eddie Perfect Windmill Theatre Skinnyfish Music
2010 Paul Capsis Australian Art Orchestra John Paxinos
2009 Julie Forsyth The Black Arm Band[9] Jointly awarded to Mandawuy Yunupingu and Footscray Community Arts
2008 Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter Big hART Paul Petran [10][11]
2007 Ros Warby Jointly awarded to The Song Company and Tasdance Ian Scobie
2006 Nigel Jamieson TaikOz Bill Hauritz
2005 Benedict Andrews Back to Back Theatre David Bates[12]
2004 Rod Quantock jointly awarded to: Melbourne Workers Theatre and Tracks Dance Theatre Lee-Ann Buckskin
2003 Stephen Page and Indigenous Individual winner Kylie Belling Acrobat Sarah Miller and Indigenous Facilitator's Prize Lafe Charlton
2002 Lisa Gasteen and Indigenous Individual Winner Aaron Pedersen Urban Theatre Projects Mary Vallentine and Indigenous Facilitator's Prize - jointly awarded to Lynette Narkle, Paul McPhail and David Milroy
2001 Paul Grabowsky and Indigenous Individual Winner David Page Northern Rivers Performing Arts Inc Ian Roberts (producer)[13] and Indigenous Facilitator's Prize Richard Frankland
2000 Lucy Guerin Leigh Warren & Dancers Jill Smith
1999 David Pledger Strange Fruit Liz Jones
1998 Nick Enright Australian Chamber Orchestra Stephen McIntyre
1997 Robyn Nevin Playbox Theatre Rhoda Roberts [14]
1996 Peter J. Wilson Jointly awarded to Company B Belvoir and Expressions Dance Company Wendy Blacklock AM
1995 Jointly awarded to Hannie Rayson and Paul Livingston Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra David Blenkinsop
1994 Michael Kieran Harvey Legs On The Wall [15]
1993 Geoffrey Rush Doppio Teatro Inc. and Bangarra Dance Theatre Marguerite Pepper
1992 Meryl Tankard Chrissie Parrott Dance Company Lindy Davies
1991 Kim Walker Jointly awarded to Synergy and Chamber Made Opera Phillip A'Vard
1990 John Beckett Bran Nue Day Productions
1989 Sue Ingleton Jointly awarded to One Extra Company and Bharatam Dance Company Sir Rupert Hamer
1988 Neil Armfield Salamanca Theatre Company John Larkin
1987 Jointly awarded to Peter Wilson and Richard Bradshaw Astra Chamber Music Society
1986 Chris Westwood Flederman Ensemble
1985 Peter Oyston Dance Works
1984 Jack Davis Jointly awarded to Circus Oz and Sydney Dance Company

Footnotes

  1. ^ a b In 2020 and 2021, as a result of the damage to the arts sector brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, the number of recipients was expanded to eight.

References

  1. ^ "Sidney Myer Fund & The Myer Foundation". www.myerfoundation.org.au. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  2. ^ "Opportunities and awards". www.artshub.com.au. 7 February 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  3. ^ "Sidney Myer Fund & The Myer Foundation". www.myerfoundation.org.au. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  4. ^ "2022 Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards announced". Limelight. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  5. ^ "2021 Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards – Winners Announced - Dance Life". 18 March 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  6. ^ "2019 Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards Announced". Limelight. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  7. ^ "Genevieve Lacey wins at the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards". ABC Classic. 5 March 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  8. ^ "2017 Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards". Australian Stage Online. 22 February 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  9. ^ "The Black Arm Band receives top award". The Fred Hollows Foundation. 14 March 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  10. ^ Beaumont, Lucy (27 March 2009). "Rich award no hoax for Archie and Ruby". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  11. ^ "Ruby Hunter, b. 1955". National Portrait Gallery (Australia) people. 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  12. ^ David Bates who brought the Spiegeltent to Australia and who has been responsible for its wonderful eclectic programming."Sidney Myer Fund, The Myer Foundation, Annual Report 2005-2006" (pdf). p. 3. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 October 2009.
  13. ^ "Sidney Myer Fund, The Myer Foundation, Annual Report 2001-2002" (pdf). p. 31.
  14. ^ "Rhoda Roberts AO". Celebrity Speakers. 22 February 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  15. ^ Julie Dyson AM