Melbourne Recital Centre announces $1million bequest from Betty Amsden Foundation
The Betty Amsden Foundation has given $1 million to Melbourne Recital Centre for a dedicated families and children’s programme, acknowledging the late Betty Amsden’s commitment to music education.
This is the largest bequest Melbourne Recital Centre has received to date and one of the most significant.
Kathryn Fagg, Melbourne Recital Centre’s Chair, said programmes aimed at families and children were an important focus for the venue, which hosted over 14,000 young people across a variety of events in 2016-2017.
”Betty was a great friend and mentor to the Centre and she holds a special place in our hearts. It is an honour to be entrusted with the resources Betty intended Melbourne Recital Centre to have to develop music programmes that continue her commitment to participation in the arts and strengthen the Centre’s connection with our community and particularly with young people,“ said Ms Fagg.
Photo credit: Melbourne Recital Centre
The bequest will be used to extend the Centre’s current programming to generate both new content and act as an advocate for the creation of new works for young people that have music at their core.
The Betty Amsden Kids & Family Programme will include an entertaining programme of events for the young and young at heart, aiming to inspire and educate the next generation of music lovers. The family-friendly programme will include Music Play, a four-day annual festival in January; Salon concerts for children during school holidays; regular family performances with Opera Australia; regular touring family programmes such as Mister Maker and The Wiggles; and Songbirds – weekly music sessions for the local community and their children aged 0-4. The Centre will also be introducing relaxed performances for children and families.
Photo credit: Melbourne Recital Centre
Betty Amsden AO (1926-2017) was a passionate advocate for exposure to and participation in music and performing arts from a young age. Betty was a seed funder of many Melbourne Recital Centre initiatives including the Music Play Children’s Festival, Music Circle Patrons Programme, the Musical Explorations illustrated lecture series, SummerSalt Festival and many more programmes focusing on learning and outreach. Betty is remembered for the very special qualities she embodied as a philanthropist and a person; and the pivotal role she has played and will continue to play through her bequest in the development of the Centre and its engagement with Victoria’s young people.
”I believe it’s critical to teach children the value of music and telling stories in this way.“ Betty Amsden, 2016
Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley said: ”Betty Amsden was a legend of our creative state with an unrivalled energy for the arts and for giving back to the community. This bequest is part of the enduring legacy she has left on our creative sector and ensures that Betty’s passion lives on through a programme that will engage the next generation.”
Visit Melbourne Recital Centre’s website here.