Sidney Myer Fund & The Myer Foundation

Overview

The Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards were created in 1984 by the Trustees of the Sidney Myer Fund to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of Sidney Myer.

There is one Individual Award ($60,000), one Group Award ($90,000) and one Facilitator's Prize ($25,000). The Facilitator's Prize recognises contributions to the performing arts by individuals and organisations who operate in support roles behind the scenes.

Application & Selection Process

The Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards are decided on a national basis and each nomination is considered by a Judging Committee. While past achievement is recognised, consideration is also given to the potential of an individual or group to continue their contribution to Australian society through the performing arts into the future. Nominations for the Awards are generally open in September and October each year.

In 2020 and 2021, as a result of the devastation and isolation wrought by COVID-19, the number of Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards recipients was expanded to eight. The Awards recognised the essential role of arts and culture in affirming our sense of self and Australia's community spirit as a nation.

Recent Awardees

A full list of past award winners can be found on the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards Wikipedia

2019 Winners Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards

The winners for the 2019 Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards are:

Facilitator’s Prize: Richard Watts
Group Award: Ensemble Offspring (Represented by Artistic Director, Claire Edwardes)
Individual Award: Barrie Kosky

2020 Winners Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards

The winners for the 2020 Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards are:

Metro Arts (Group, Qld)
Kylie Bracknell [Kaarljilba Kaardn] (Individual, WA)
Sally Chance (Individual, SA)
Second Echo Ensemble (Group, Tas)
Andrew Ford (Facilitator, NSW)
Robin Fox (Individual, Vic)
Sean Pardy (Facilitator, NT) and
The Street Theatre (Group, ACT).

2021 Winners Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards

The winners for the 2021 Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards are:

All the Queens Men (Group, Vic)
Australian Digital Concert Hall (Facilitator, Vic)
Blakdance (Group, Qld)
Clare Watson (Individual, WA)
Erin Milne (Facilitator, Vic)
James Berlyn (Individual, WA)
Jenny M Thomas (Individual, Vic)
Speak Percussion (Group, Vic).

2022 Winners Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards

The winners for the 2022 Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards are:

Individual Award: Eryn Jean Norvill
Facilitator’s Prize: Deirdre O'Brien
Group Award: Marrugeku (represented by Co-Artistic Director Rachael Swain and Chair Deb Pigram)