We have long held the view that the arts are not just important for our national culture and wellbeing, but also critical to our economy, so it was fascinating to read recently how culture is considered a strategic part of national development in Namibia.
“The country’s Sixth National Development Plan recognises culture and the creative industries as contributors to economic diversification, tourism, job creation, national identity and social cohesion.” EU Ambassador to Namibia Ana-Beatriz Martins: cultural and creative industries “generate employment, encourage innovation and strengthen social connections”.
That’s one of the reasons why we signed the ‘Don’t Break our Arts’ petition, a campaign launched by a group of artists and cultural organisations in Victoria calling for the restoration of arts funding and new investment in the state’s cultural sector. As the group states, “arts and culture are a fundamental part of Victoria’s economic, social and cultural life, and the wellbeing of Victorian citizens.” We couldn’t agree more, and have spoken to arts organisations who have been significantly impacted by the Victorian Government’s decision to withdraw funding support.
We also read about a widespread scam called “card draining” across the US, NZ, the UK, Canada, parts of Europe, Singapore and Australia. It’s where people steal gift cards on display in supermarkets, take them home and carefully open them, record and wipe out the unique redemption code then put them back in the store. When they are bought and activated at the till, criminals can use the code and redeem the value – knowing that whoever receives the card can’t.
The good news is that won’t happen with our vouchers: so, don’t give your staff or customers an Apple gift card this Christmas; give them a Culture Voucher!
Contact us to find out more about our voucher program and how you can order your culture vouchers – either at info@givingculture.com.au or by phone on (02) 4872 4981. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn for posts on what’s happening at Giving Culture, and other updates about the arts and culture scene in Australia.
Sydney Film Festival
The Oscar race is heating up, and Sydney Film Festival was at the starting line. SFF Audience Award prize winner La Bola Negra just won the Toronto International Film Festival Audience Award! It’s also one of the films just announced that SFF is taking on the road to regional QLD this Oct and November: https://www.sff.org.au/tff/ – and yes, you can redeem your Culture Voucher for the Travelling Film Festival, coming to Townsville, Toowoomba, Mackay and Cairns in October and November.
Ensemble Offspring
Tickets for Ensemble Offspring’s Avant Gardens Spring performances in Sydney and Brisbane next month are selling quickly, so redeem your Silver Voucher now for two tickets to a performance of this quirky, vibrant program featuring rising star trumpeter Arkie Moore!
Hatched Emerging Performer Arkie Moore is an exciting young trumpeter with a vast stylistic range that has taken her from the world of symphony orchestras to jazz and brass bands, and into the thickets of new art music. Taking the lead from her love of jazz, the program features Andrew Classen’s Waveland Suite, as well as a series of miniatures written especially for Ensemble Offspring. This includes new music by Nardi Simpson, inspired by Yuwaalaraay waterways; Jane Stanley’s recollection of a Sydney street, fragrant with jasmine and gardenias; and our Hatched Emerging Performer Commission for 2026, a new work by Californian jazz saxophonist and Grammy Award winning composer Remy Le Boeuf.
You can also redeem your Gold Voucher for tickets to Avant Gardens Spring, as well as EO’s two additional Sydney performances for its 2026 Season.
Incognito Art Show
Photo by Through The Looking Glass Studio / www.looking-glass.com.au
A SPECIAL OFFER FOR ART LOVERS
For September only, you’ll get 50% OFF when you purchase three or more artworks from the Incognito Art Show. That’s a saving of at least $150!
This is a rare chance to pick up multiple pieces of original, one-of-a-kind art at a significant discount, and the perfect opportunity to start or grow your collection.
Simply add three or more artworks to your cart and the discount will be automatically applied. Merch and frames excluded.
Shop now to claim this offer, with 20,000+ one-of-a-kind original artworks to choose from. Ends midnight Wednesday 30 September.
You can redeem either your Incognito Art Show – Gold Voucher or your Incognito Art Show – Silver Voucher to go towards any purchases.
Australian Chamber Orchestra
Pekka Kuusisto: Legends & Luminaries
Touring Nationally | 3-19 October
Pekka Kuusisto is a virtuoso renowned for the unexpected and thrilling. Unbound by convention, he is the embodiment of artistic freedom, directing a program of prodigious talents for his long-awaited ACO return. From a strings arrangement of Mozart’s The Magic Flute to contemporary works by Ellen Reid and Nico Muhly, discover his trademark creativity and curiosity – a perfect match for the ACO.
Redeem either an ACO – Gold Voucher or ACO – Silver Voucher to put towards tickets to this national concert tour starting in Sydney on Saturday 3 October.
Melbourne Chamber Orchestra
DuskLit – Melbourne, Narre Warren – 1-4 October
Known for her expressive depth and brilliant technique — as well as her warm presence on ABC’s The Piano — Andrea Lam brings Mozart’s beloved Piano Concerto No 21 to life with elegance and joy.
Mendelssohn’s sun-drenched Italian Symphony also shines, along with the premiere of a moving new work by Miriama Young, created from field recordings by young people in climate-affected communities.
With students from the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music joining the orchestra, this concert celebrates connection — to land, music and the next generation.
Drifting Currents – Melbourne, Geelong – 26-29 November
Experience the world premiere of Alice Humphries’ deeply moving Cello Concerto, written especially for celebrated MCO cellist Blair Harris.
Known for his emotional depth and fearless artistry, Harris brings this new work to life in a performance that highlights his long-standing collaboration with the composer.
The program also features Respighi’s graceful Ancient Airs and Dances, the meditative beauty of Pēteris Vasks, and Josef Suk’s radiant Serenade for Strings — a lyrical, joy-filled farewell to the season.
From composer and soloist to orchestra and audience, this concert is a tribute to musical connection.
You can put your Gold or Silver vouchers towards individual concert tickets now!
The Australian World Orchestra
There’s a great lunchtime soundtrack for you this Saturday, 26 September – and find out what you missed by not redeeming your culture voucher for this annual AWO performance at the Sydney Opera House! Maybe next year? ABC Classic’s lunchtime concert, recorded live in concert at the Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House on 20 August 2026 by ABC Classic.
Program
- Igor Stravinsky: Petrushka (1947 version)
- Jonathan Mills: Songs for a Stranger
- Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10
Listen on the ABC Listen app or online at the ABC Classic website.