Excitement is in the air! Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation recently launched Vanguard, a bold new initiative designed to inspire and engage the next generation of arts philanthropists.
Vanguard is all about cultivating a community of emerging donors who are passionate about shaping South Australia's vibrant cultural landscape, right here in the Heart of the Arts – Adelaide Festival Centre.
Held on the stage of the Festival Theatre, the inaugural Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation Vanguard Presentation Event was a resounding success! Attendees had the unique opportunity to hear from our passionate programming team, as they shared their vision for exciting projects that will all have a lasting impact.
“Hearing from Douglas Gautier AM, CEO & Artistic Director of Adelaide Festival Centre, and an incredible panel of arts leaders, we explored new ideas, creative initiatives, and the impact that philanthropy has on bringing bold artistic visions to life. The energy in the room and on the stage - special thanks to the ginormous hidden organ – was a testament to the power of collaboration between artists and the community.”
Image: Topbunk
Thanks to the generosity and commitment of Vanguard donors, we are thrilled to announce that Vanguard has raised over $100,000 and allocated $80,000 in funding to support three incredible initiatives:
Learning and Engagement (centrED, On Stage Scholarships and TIX for ALL)
Breaking down barriers to arts access, the centrED program will provide free or subsidised tickets and transport for students experiencing disadvantage to attend live performances and artist workshops at Adelaide Festival Centre.
Funding will also provide fee-free scholarships for our On Stage performing arts program for young people who would not normally have the opportunity to participate in arts learning. The TIX for ALL program will provide South Australians experiencing disadvantage the opportunity to attend free or low-cost performances at Adelaide Festival Centre.
First Nations Fellowship
This transformative, entry-level opportunity will provide a young First Nations professional with hands-on experience in arts programming and administration at Adelaide Festival Centre. The part time fellowship is designed to nurture future leaders, offering invaluable professional development and mentorship.
Early Career Artists at Adelaide Cabaret Festival
This initiative will shine a spotlight on early-career cabaret artists, integrating them into the world’s largest and most prestigious cabaret festival. Artists will gain exposure, professional growth, and the chance to connect with new audiences.
Image: Topbunk
"It was fantastic to hear first-hand from the team behind these transformative programs. These initiatives and the arts more broadly have a profound and life-changing impact on so many, and there was so much passion and enthusiasm for these wonderful programs and our Arts for All mandate."
This is more than just funding; it's an investment in creativity, culture, and the future of the arts in South Australia. Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation Vanguard is playing a crucial role in building a vibrant, inclusive, and inspiring arts community and we can't wait to share the impact of their generosity in the months ahead. Stay tuned for updates on these exciting projects!
A special thank you to Roger Lang and the Lang Family Foundation, Legh and Helen Davis, and Sheryn Foord for their belief in this initiative and matching Vanguard donations - doubling the impact of the group’s contributions.
We also extend our sincere gratitude to those who contributed to the success of the Vanguard Presentation Event: MC, Stephen Tongun, organist Joshua van Konkelenberg, DJ Billie Justice Thomson, Coriole Vineyards, Topbunk for photography, and the Adelaide Festival Centre Food and Beverage and Production teams.
Finally, a very special thank you to our engaging presenters: Renee Gibson, Kellie Nicol, Susannah Sweeney, Isobel Marmion, and Adelaide Cabaret Festival Artistic Director Virginia Gay.
Learn more about Vanguard
To learn more about Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation Vanguard and to how to become a donor please contact the Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation team.