Arts Centre Melbourne announced yesterday (17 July) that three leading female philanthropists – Susan Yates (Peter and Susan Yates Foundation), Virginia Boon (Harry and Virginia Boon Foundation) and Krystyna Campbell-Pretty – have provided major donations of approximately $1 million each, in support of showcasing and celebrating Australia’s performing arts history.
Philanthropists Susan Yates and Virginia Boon have both directly supported the construction of the new Australian Museum of Performing Arts (AMPA), opening on Hamer Hall’s Riverside Terrace in December. AMPA’s first exhibition will be announced in September.
Philanthropist Krystyna Campbell-Pretty supported two major acquisitions for the Australian Performing Arts Collection (established in 1975 and containing more than 850,000 objects relating to the history of circus, dance, music, opera and theatre) including 35 objects once owned by Grammy-winning recording artist and actor Olivia Newton-John, who died in 2022, and Australian comedian, actor, author and satirist Barry Humphries, who died in 2023.
