One of Giving Culture’s missions is to encourage greater corporate support for the arts, so we were interested to read a new report published by the Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre. The report highlights that British theatre is under growing financial strain, reflecting a similar reality here in Australia. This from the report’s authors: “The public appetite for theatre is clear. But the organisations that make it possible are facing rising costs on almost every front. The challenge now is ensuring this success is sustainable, so theatres across the country can continue creating new work, supporting jobs, and reaching audiences everywhere.” Corporate support for theatre, and arts and culture in general, is needed more than ever.
We had a little chuckle during the Oscars this week when actor Timothée Chalamet was on the end of a light roast from host Conan O’Brien. In case you missed it, Chalamet made some highly publicised comments back in February about the relevance of ballet and opera. (“I don’t want to be working in ballet or opera, or you know, things where it’s like, ‘Hey, keep this thing alive,’ even though it’s like, no-one cares about this anymore.”) Ironically, despite being the hot favourite in the lead up to the Oscars, he missed out on the Best Leading Actor gong.
There were other great responses to Chalamet from the arts world, so it’s well worth an internet search to find the best of them.
On that subject, you don’t need to search too far to see some of the latest offers from our partners – included below!
If you’d like more information about Giving Culture, contact us or sign up to our monthly emails at givingculture.com.au/contact. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn for other updates and posts on what’s happening at Giving Culture, and in the arts and culture scene in Australia.
Australian Theatre for Young People
One sweltering summer in small-town Wangaratta, ten-year-olds Maddy and Luke first meet. Here begins their journey through first love, friendship and the ache of growing up.
Equal parts painful and beautiful, Callum Mackay’s enchanting play ‘The Last Train to Madeline’ captures the cost of childhood dreams as we follow the pair from ten to seventeen to twenty-three years old.
Two out of three weeks for the season have sold out, so now is your last chance to grab your tickets before the production closes on Saturday 28 March.
Contact us at info@givingculture.com.au or on (02) 4872 4981 to find out how you can redeem your gold or silver voucher for tickets to this show.
Incognito Art Show
Over 25,000 artists have signed up to participate in this year’s Incognito Art Show, and it’s shaping up to be the biggest yet. Are you joining in?
Get creative to help raise funds for professional development programs supporting artists with disability, with 100% of Incognito’s profits donated to Studio A, The Art Factory and Access Arts.
98% of previous participants recommend taking part. It’s a chance to meet buyers and fellow creatives, showcase your art and help make art buying more accessible.
Artist registration closes this weekend! Register before Sunday 22 March so you don’t miss out. Link to register: https://www.incognitoartshow.com/account/register
In preparation for this year’s exhibition, you can redeem now for an Incognito Art Show – Gold Voucher or an Incognito Art Show – Silver Voucher.
Ensemble Offspring
We’ve just launched a new silver voucher offer for EO’s Avant Gardens Autumn concerts in Sydney in May, but you will need to move quickly if you’d like to redeem for two tickets for one of these two in-demand salon garden performances featuring three iconic female composers at the heart of an intimate trio program.
You will also need to move quickly for our gold ‘Intro to EO’ Subscription, giving you tickets to one of the May concerts, as well as The Oracle in June, EO’s biggest and boldest program of the season which is also its most subtle and surreal, and REICH: REJOICE: REPEAT in September, in honour of Steve Reich’s 90th birthday with a joyous retrospective celebrating the hypnotic power of Reich’s signature rhythmic groove.
The Australian World Orchestra
We congratulate Alexander Briger, AWO’s 2026 conductor, and tenor soloist Michael Petruccelli for their recognition at Monday night’s Green Room Awards.
Petruccelli received the award for Outstanding Performer in a Supporting Role, while Briger was awarded Outstanding Musical Achievement, both for their work in Victorian Opera’s production of Katya Kabanova.
Briger returns to conduct the AWO in its 15-year milestone celebration, and Petruccelli will make his debut, premiering the AWO’s song cycle commission Songs for a Stranger, composed by Jonathan Mills.
Join Briger, Petruccelli, and 92 more of Australia’s finest musicians, coming together from home and around the world, as they perform Petrushka by Igor Stravinsky, Symphony No. 10 by Dmitri Shostakovich, and present the world premiere of Songs for a Stranger by Jonathan Mills.
Redeem your Gold or Silver Voucher for the Melbourne performance on 19 August at Arts Centre Melbourne, or the Sydney performance on 20 August at Sydney Opera House.
Australian Chamber Orchestra
You might have seen the latest news from the ACO with the acquisition of an incredibly rare 1610 Maggini viola played by ACO Principal Viola Stefanie Farrands. The viola, made in Brescia by Giovanni Paolo Maggini, has captured imaginations around the world. On ACO’s current national tour, The Devil’s Violin, you can hear the Maggini, alongside a magnificent collection of Golden Age instruments, playing the music composed during the time they were carved, by history’s most talented makers. Watch a rehearsal at ACO On The Pier with guest director and renowned violinist Ilya Gringolts. It’s an evening of Baroque brilliance and fiery virtuosity, with music by Vivaldi, Tartini and Geminiani making for a dazzling celebration of the violin – and viola!
Limited seats are still available for the Sydney performances, starting on Saturday 21 March. (Psst: ask us about a special offer code too!) You can redeem either an ACO – Gold Voucher or ACO – Silver Voucher to put towards ACO’s The Devil’s Violin.
Sydney Film Festival
The great thing about participating in the Sydney Film Festival are the special offers available throughout the year. The latest is a partnership between SFF and MUBI to offer 60 days free to its streaming service. MUBI provides an ever-changing curation of beautiful, interesting, incredible films from iconic, award-winning directors to emerging auteurs. Watch transformative films from all over the world, including SFF 2025 hit The Mastermind starring Josh O’Connor. SFF is also still running its Air Canada competition. To enter the draw, use your Giving Culture voucher to purchase a 2026 Flexipass or Youth Pass before 17 May.