Arts & Culture

Overview

Myer family philanthropy is synonymous with the arts in Australia. The family tradition of giving to enrich cultural life began with Sidney Myer, a passionate supporter of the arts, and remains a central focus for the family today.

Most particularly, we acknowledge the strong connection between the arts, creativity and a healthy community – and the role Sidney Myer Fund can play in upholding the integrity of Australia’s arts community.

Sidney Myer Fund believes individual artists, creators and cultural leaders are the life-blood of our arts community yet all too frequently the income derived from their labour does not amount to a livelihood. Artists, like any professionals, need time to develop and practise their vocation in circumstances which support reflection and encourage risk taking.

Arts & Culture Program grantmaking

Our current strategic focus is championing individual artists, creators and cultural leaders to be bold and ambitious.

A New Approach (ANA)

Australia’s leading arts and culture think tank, ANA was established by The Myer Foundation in partnership with the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation and the Keir Foundation to address a shortfall in up-to-date, independent, and accurate data and research supporting investment in Australia’s arts and cultural sector.

Sidney Myer Creative Fellowships

First awarded in 2011, the Sidney Myer Creative Fellowships provide unrestricted grants of $200,000 tax free over two years to individual Australian artists, creators and cultural leaders. Specific outcomes for the Fellowships are not required.

Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards

Created in 1984, the Awards commemorated Sidney Myer and his love for the arts, running for 40 years until 2023. They were primarily intended to recognise and reward outstanding achievements in dance, drama, comedy, music, opera, circus and puppetry.