The Myer Foundation is a major Australian philanthropic organisation.
In 1959, The Myer Foundation was established by Sidney's sons, Baillieu Myer and Ken Myer – their sisters, Neilma Gantner and Marigold Southey, became founding members. The Myer Foundation was established in order to award grants in sectors not covered by Sidney Myer's will. The Myer Foundation was endowed in 1992, after Ken Myer died, leaving most of his estate to the foundation.
The fund and foundation have been supported by four generations of Myer family members. In 2011, Carrillo Gantner , grandson of Sidney Myer through Sidney's daughter Neilma Gantner, was chair of the fund, while Martyn Myer , Sidney's grandson through Ken Myer, was president of the Myer Foundation. Myer Foundation website
In 2017, the foundation collaborated with the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation and the Keir Foundation in creating an initiative called A New Approach, to address a gap in up-to-date and accurate research and data about arts and cultural philanthropy.
The Sidney Myer Creative Fellowships have been awarded since 2011, and in 2022 awarded the 100th fellowship and hit a total of . Each of the annual is awarded to an individual, with no restrictions or required outcomes necessary. From 2011 to 2022, the fellowships were each worth A$160,000. In 2023, the value increased to A$200,000. The fellowships are tax-free and paid over two years, over which time it is expected that the recipients largely remain in Australia. Mid-career Australian artists, arts managers, and "thought leaders" in the humanities are all eligible. The choice of recipients by the selection panel is based on two criteria: outstanding talent, and exceptional courage. Financial hardship is not considered. Many Indigenous Australian creatives have been Sidney Myer Creative Fellows, including Jonathan Jones, Alexis Wright, Ellen van Neerven, Eric Avery, Vernon Ah Kee, and (in 2022) artist Vincent Namatjira.
Governance
Awards and fellowships
there are three awards, given annually: an Individual Award (), a Group Award () and a Facilitator's Prize ().
External links
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