Melbourne Theatre Company The University Of Melbourne

    Foundations

    In the past few years a number of valuable projects have been made possible through the support of various Trusts and Foundations.

    - Between 2002-2007, MTC’s Affiliate Writers program Hard Lines – a development initiative providing financial support to fledgling writers – saw many emerging playwrights mentored in their craft. Though this program, MTC was able to help writers develop their stories through to a play reading phase, and even on to a main-stage MTC production, as was the case of Tony Briggs' The Sapphires (2004) and Ross Mueller’s The Ghost Writer (2007).

    - In 2009 MTC expanded on Hard Lines to include a separate commissions program as well as a devoted season of play readings.  We hope to grow our development program further still by adding an annual residency for an emerging playwright to study and work in all areas at MTC HQ.

    - MTC’s Youth Scholarship Program provides a number of scholarships for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. This program provides students access to an intensive 5-day developmental drama course. These places are granted to young people who may otherwise not have this opportunity due to distance, economic or social considerations.

    - The Sapphires – a Shining Example Mentor Program funded by The Harold Mitchell Foundation provided mentorships for several indigenous theatre workers. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity gave mentorees the confidence and professional expertise to take their chosen careers to the next level.

    - Support has also been generously given toward the development and construction of the MTC Theatre.
    Melbourne Theatre Company would like to thank the many Philanthropic Trusts and Foundations for their generous support. This funding allows us to run development programs that benefit the future of the Performing Arts industry.

    PoorBoy_foundations

    Poor Boy premiered at MTC in 2009 thanks to the support of the Cybec Foundation

    Current Supporters:

    • The Cybec Foundation – has supported commissions and workshops of new plays for several years, and is currently committed to three years of support to the Cybec Readings – a selection of play readings developing the skills of emerging playwrights, to be performed in the Lawler Studio

    • The Joan and Peter Clemenger Trust – has supported our new writing & emerging playwrights program since 2006, and is currently committed to three years of support, funding whole and partial commissions.  The Joan and Peter Clemenger Trust were also instrumental in the establishment of the Lawler Studio in the MTC Theatre.

    • Tattersall's Foundation – has fully funded the MTC Youth Scholarship for 2010, and also provided funding for two new initiatives: transport subsidies for access from regional areas, and training and development for teachers.

    • Sidney Myer Fund  (Geoffrey Cohen Scholarship) – providing subsidised access for secondary students to MTC performances.

    • Robert Salzer Foundation – providing essential developmental, training and project management support for the MTC Theatre project.

    • Ian Potter Foundation – supporting the fit-out of the Lawler Studio in the MTC Theatre.

    • The Michael and Andrew Buxton Foundation

    Without the valued support of Trusts and Foundations these vital opportunities would not be possible. For more information please contact Rupert Sherwood on 03 8688 0953 or email fundraising@mtc.com.au.