Lucy Guerin Inc receives $2million bequest
In an extraordinary act of generosity, the late Chloe Munro has made a bequest of two million dollars – the largest ever for Australian contemporary dance - to the Lucy Guerin Inc (LGI) dance company.
Munro was a former chair of Lucy Guerin Inc. She died in June 2021 aged only 55, from cancer.
She had discussed the purpose of the fellowships and the recipients with LGI before she died and the company is executing these directions according to her wishes.
LGI will receive $500,000 for the development and presentation of new works and general operations. Ten mid-career artists will each receive fellowships of $100,000 and 10 independent artists will each receive fellowships of $50,000 for their professional and personal development. Munro was familiar with all of these artists through their work with LGI and as part of the Melbourne dance community.
The recipients of the mid-career fellowships are:
Alice Will Caroline, Alisdair Macindoe, Benjamin Hancock, Jo Lloyd, Joel Bray Dance, Lilian Steiner, Luke George, Melanie Lane, Rebecca Jensen and Stephanie Lake Company.
The recipients of the independent artist fellowships are:
Amber McCartney, Geoffrey Watson, Harrison Hall, Jenni Large, Kyall Shanks, Lee Serle, Ngioka Bunda-Heath, Sarah Aiken, Siobhan McKenna and Tra Mi Dinh.
"These fellowships will provide transformative and extraordinary support to the independent dance community. Chloe’s passion for contemporary dance and deep understanding of the hardships faced by independent artists surviving on intermittent work made her want to help. Chloe was generous throughout her lifetime. She wanted to support in a practical way, the artform that she loved," said the present chair, Ian McDougall.
"Chloe Munro led the organisation with a down to earth and positive wisdom," says Artistic Director Lucy Guerin. "Chloe believed in art as a meaningful and motivating aspect of society and she drew strength and inspiration from her engagement with artists and from attending performances. In my roles as choreographer and Artistic Director of the company she gave me courage and support. She was a wonderful mentor and left a vivid imprint on our organisation.
"She was deeply sympathetic to artists, especially to independent dancers and choreographers who have struggled so much over the last few years. We intend to celebrate Chloe’s extraordinary generosity and her legacy, and will name our main studio at WXYZ Studios in North Melbourne in her honour.”
Chloe Munro led an exceptionally full life and productive life. Among her many roles, she served as the inaugural chairperson of the Clean Energy Regulator from 2012 to 2017. She also played significant roles in both the private and public sector, with particular expertise in energy, climate change, infrastructure and natural resource markets. Organisations she was involved in include the National Water Commission, AquaSure— the consortium building Victoria's desalination plant; Hydro Tasmania; she was Secretary of the Victorian Government's Department of Primary Industries; and was Secretary of the Victorian Government's Department of National Resources and Environment (DNRE). In 2018 she was made an Officer in the Order of Australia in recognition of her service in the areas of renewable energy, water, climate change and the performing arts. That same year she appeared on the list of the Australian Financial Review’s 100 Women of Influence
Vale.
