ATYP Wins 2016 Sidney Myer Group Award
Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) are honoured to have won the Group Award of the 2016 Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards announced by Carrillo Gantner AO, Chair of the Sidney Myer Fund at Cranlana in Melbourne on Tuesday 4 April 2017. The Award recognises ATYP as a major contributor to the performing arts in Australia, as evidenced through the development of ATYP’s production, Sugarland and its 2016 national tour.
“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,” says Mr Gantner AO.
Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) exists to raise the national expectation of what theatre with young people can achieve and believe that an involvement in theatre builds better people. What started in 1963 as the dream of a group of passionate artists, to provide children access to quality theatre, has become a respected organisation supported by generations of children, families and the performing arts industry in Sydney and across the country.
Working with leading artists ATYP uses drama to address issues affecting the health and wellbeing of all young Australians. The impact of that interaction changes lives – from growth in self-confidence to the launch of a professional career. It is the meeting point between young Australians of all backgrounds and our most celebrated professional artists.
“It’s a huge honour for ATYP to win the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Award. It recognises the extraordinary talents and achievements of so many young people that walk through the doors of youth theatre companies around the country on a daily basis. Where once youth theatre was appreciated as being a useful tool in personal growth, it is now recognised for delivering work of artistic excellence.” said ATYP Artistic Director and CEO, Fraser Corfield. “This Award marks a dynamic shift in youth theatre in Australia and aligns ATYP with Circa, Dark MoFo, the Brandenberg Orchestra and Windmill Theatre – some of the country’s most celebrated cultural institutions. It heralds an exciting new era for ATYP.”
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 Carrillo Gantner AO (Chair, Sidney Myer Fund) and this year they included: Iain Grandage, Louise Herron AM, 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.
Other recipients include Individual Award winner Gavin Webber, Co-Artistic Director, The Farm, (Qld) and Kathy Burns, Artistic Director, Barkly Regional Arts, (NT) receiving the Facilitator’s Prize.
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.