Arts Centre Melbourne Hosts WINTER GALA To Support First Call Fund

Arts Centre Melbourne's inaugural Arts Club Winter Gala will be held this month to help provide access to the arts for children and community groups disadvantaged by distance or circumstance. The June 1 event has been organised by The Arts Club, a membership group of budding philanthropists formed in 2014 to advocate for support and investment into one of Australia's most important cultural institutions.

The Arts Club is made up of passionate young Melbourne arts supporters. Board members include Sara Kirby (nee Groen) Anne Runhardt, Jo Walker, Andrew Kanis, Anthony McIntosh, Stephen Heathcote, Tabitha Lovett and President Nick Haddad. Sara Kirby is known to television audiences as a former Saturday Disney host, weather presenter for Seven Network in Sydney and science program Beyond Tomorrow.Stephen Heathcote spent twenty-four years dancing with The Australian Ballet, and twenty of them as principal artist.

Fifty dollars from each Arts Club Winter Gala ticket sold will be donated to Arts Centre Melbourne's First Call Fund. The fund enables children and young people disadvantaged by distance or circumstance to experience the joy and inspiration of live performance on Arts Centre Melbourne's famous stages and to take part in Australia's largest performing arts education and participation program.

Arts Centre Melbourne chief executive officer Claire Spencer said she was excited that Village Roadshow had chosen to support the inaugural Arts Club Gala. "This is an especially happy partnership considering our shared interest in allowing access to the arts for those who would not otherwise be able to come."