Celebrating visionary leaders who enable Australia’s cultural ecology to flourish

2022-Creative-Partnerships-Awards-recipientsCreative Partnerships Australia have announced the 2022 Creative Partnerships Awards that recognise remarkable people who generously provide support to enhance the Australian arts and culture sector.

This year, the Awards celebrate and acknowledge nine exemplary leaders in private giving, philanthropy and business partnerships with the arts:
• Arts Visionary Award – Ulrike Klein AO
• Philanthropy Leadership Award – Neilson Foundation
• Philanthropy Leadership Award – Paul Taylor
• Business Leadership Award – John Albrecht
• Emerging Philanthropy Leadership Award – Helen and Melissa Macfarlane
• Arts Leadership Award – Barbara Moore

“The partnerships and relationships formed between this year’s recipients and the arts organisations they support are characterised by a mutual understanding of the value of the arts and culture in the Australian community,” said Creative Partnerships Australia CEO, Fiona Menzies.

“These are relationships built over time; time spent listening and exchanging ideas, in order to truly understand each other’s needs and objectives. They are not only generous supporters, but they have become ambassadors for the work and organisations they support.”

With over 500 campaigns on the Australian Cultural Fund platform in the past twelve months, Creative Partnerships Australia saw an increase in donor support for the arts sector like never before.

Last year, the Australian Cultural Fund received donations from 9,192 art lovers and philanthropists, of which 8,201 were first-time donors. The fund achieved its highest result of over $9.5 million, which was bolstered by contributions of multi-million-dollar gifts from philanthropic foundations through the new Amplify program.

Australians are invested in the vibrant arts scene and this year’s Award recipients are inspiring allies, who are firmly committed to advancing the arts for everyone.

Creative Partnerships Australia has led the Creative Partnerships Awards since 2013, embracing the legacy of the Australian Business Arts Foundation Awards, which celebrated excellence in partnerships and private sector support to the arts for more than a decade.

The Award recipients advocate and champion passionately for the arts and demonstrate qualities of inspiring leadership – they strengthen and enrich the creative sector through their generosity and commitment.


2022 Creative Partnerships Awards:

Arts Visionary Award – For an individual who has made a significant contribution to the arts over a period of time, leading to a new understanding of the arts in Australia and enabling the presentation of art that would not have been possible without philanthropic support.

Ulrike Klein AO is passionate about the arts, particularly music, and in 2009 founded Ngeringa Arts, now known as UKARIA. Together with her family she funded the construction of a state-of-the-art and environmentally sustainable cultural centre with a 220-seat concert hall at its heart. Her vision is to build a legacy for future generations and to enrich Australian culture.


Philanthropy Leadership Award – For an individual, family, foundation or other entity whose contribution to Australia’s culture of giving has made a significant impact and promoted the value of arts philanthropy.

The Neilson Foundation has been a significant supporter of almost every performing arts organisation in Sydney and many more elsewhere in Australia. Led by Kerr Neilson and his daughters Paris and Beau, the Foundation has gifted more than $140 million in the past 15 years, with a particular focus on helping to build the capacity of the organisations it supports.

Paul Taylor is a generous donor to arts organisations across Australia, including Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), Brisbane Festival, National Gallery of Australia and Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. Paul’s commitment to the arts extends to all levels, from small to medium organisations as well as the work of contemporary artists, whose work he collects and has helped commission.


Business Leadership Award – For an individual working in the business sector whose exceptional leadership, advocacy and example has contributed to Australian cultural life by encouraging increased investment and engagement between business and the arts.

John Albrecht is the Chairman and Head of Important Collections at Leonard Joel. In 2009, he initiated a partnership with Arts Projects Australia that has included hosting high profile art auctions and creating a traineeship program. John has also introduced new policies regarding the consignment of Australian Indigenous art and a cessation of trade in rhinoceros’ horn and elephant ivory.


Emerging Philanthropy Leadership Award – For an individual or partnership new to the philanthropic sector and whose leadership and contribution to the arts is shaping the future of philanthropy and private giving in Australia’s cultural sector.

Helen and Melissa Macfarlane established The Macfarlane Fund in memory of Don Macfarlane, philanthropist and former CEO of Amcor, and a life-long arts enthusiast. The fund is designed to support and champion Australian artists, through a program of residencies, exhibitions, commissions and awards.


Arts Leadership Award – For an individual whose work in the arts and cultural sector has had an exceptional effect on the promotion of private sector investment into Australia’s cultural life, demonstrating vision, commercial acumen and strategic thinking in their engagement with donors and business and encouraging increased giving to the arts.

Barbara Moore is Chief Executive Officer of the Biennale of Sydney and a passionate advocate for the arts. With over 20 years in the in the arts, her experience includes the private, public and not for profit sectors. Barbara was recently a member of the Australian Federal Government’s Creative Economy Taskforce and is currently a Board Member of the International Biennale Association.


Creative Partnerships Australia role is to foster a culture of private sector support for the arts. We grow the culture of giving, investment, partnerships, and volunteering; bringing donors, businesses, artists and arts organisations together to build a more sustainable and vibrant arts sector for the benefit of all Australians.

Creative Partnerships Australia is supported by the Australian Government through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications and the Arts. For more information, visit: www.creativepartnershipsaustralia.org.au for details.

Image: 2022 Creative Partnerships Awards recipients (L-R) Paul Taylor, John Albrecht, Ulrike Klein AO, Helen and Melissa Macfarlane, Barbara Moore, Neilson Foundation – Beau, Kerr and Paris Neilson (supplied)