• Professor Ruth Rentschler OAM MAICD
    Professor Ruth Rentschler OAM MAICD
Close×

Legacy of Generosity: Ruth Rentschler's $500,000 Gift to ADT

Comments Comments

As she concludes her eight-year tenure on Australian Dance Theatre’s (ADT) board, Professor Ruth Rentschler OAM MAICD has cemented her legacy with a historic $500,000 bequest, marking the largest single donation in the company’s history.

Rentschler, an award-winning academic and professor at the University of South Australia’s business school, has been a tireless advocate for arts organisations across the state and nation. Appointed as ADT’s Chair of the Board in 2022, she brought decades of expertise spanning the arts, management, and non-profit sectors to her role, guiding the company through a transformative period.

During her tenure, ADT underwent a profound evolution, with the appointment of Artistic Director Daniel Riley at the forefront. Under his leadership and with Rentschler’s unwavering support, the company reshaped its repertoire and strategic priorities, focusing on care, collective creativity, and the power of dance to inspire social change.

“Serving on the board of Australian Dance Theatre has been an honour and something I’ve been proud to do,” Rentschler said. “The company is important to Australia’s dance ecology, and I’m thrilled to have played a part in its success.

“I thank my fellow board members, the company’s community of artists, audiences, donors and friends, as well as government, and the team at ADT for their support of the company and its work. I look forward to supporting the company for many years to come and to celebrating 60 years of ADT in 2025.”

The unprecedented donation will ensure ADT’s future as a trailblazer in dance, securing its position as a creator of innovative and socially impactful work for decades to come.

“It’s been an immense privilege working alongside Ruth,” said Executive Director Nick Hays. “Her generosity, passion, and rigour have enriched ADT during her time on the Board. To have her support the company in perpetuity with her bequest is extraordinary and illustrates her commitment to seeing our company, and the arts in this country, flourish.”

As ADT prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2025, Rentschler’s remarkable contribution offers a lasting reminder of her vision and dedication to the arts. With her legacy now entwined with the future of Australian dance, the company is poised for an era of bold innovation and enduring impact.

comments powered by Disqus