Latest news

  • Our community in action

    DEC 2025: This year our annual gathering for the Foundation alumni family was hosted in the beautiful surrounds of Abbotsford Convent arts precinct - the perfect opportunity to reconnect, share personal wins, updates and new directions.

  • 2026 Funding for organisations

    DEC 2025: Announcing the latest recipients of Performing Arts Organisation Grants. Six companies will undertake initiatives that expand participation, build organisational capability and shape new pathways for young people. Read more

  • 2026 Fellow Announced

    OCT 2025: Congratulations to Ciaran Frame - inaugural recipient of the $100,000 Betty Amsden Fellowship; the largest of its kind backing innovation in performing arts business and operations.
    Read more about Ciaran’s project here

  • NEW Betty Amsden Fellowship

    MAY 2025: What a night! The performing arts sector came together to celebrate the Foundation’s launch of a new Fellowship for game-changing ideas in arts management.

  • Leaps & bounds

    MARCH 2025: The 9th Betty Amsden Participation Program came to life as Home Bound in the Arts Centre Melbourne’s AsiaTOPA Festival. Devised by Luke George and Daniel Kok, the work invited connection with joyful play (and a lot of yarn and string)

  • An exciting line-up of promise

    MARCH 2025: It all started with one of Betty's game-changer ideas back in 2016. Today, the Access Monash Betty Amsden AO Leadership program is still going strong with the next group of Monash students ready to start their career development journey.

Earlier updates

  • Gathering a storm

    NOV 2024: Our largest alumni Annual Gathering to date, saw everyone who braved a mega-storm rewarded with an inspiring afternoon at Guide Dogs Victoria

  • Midwifery scholarship

    OCT 2024: Congratulations to Caitlin C., winner of the 2024 Betty Amsden Epworth Hospital Midwifery Scholarship.

  • Class of 2024

    OCT 2024: The Monash University Betty Amsden AO Leadership Program end of year graduation - highlighting another successful program to prepare the leaders of tomorrow.

  • Ilbijerri Theatre

    OCT 2024: Performing Arts grant recipient, Ilbijerri Theatre Company, have adapted their Warumpi Band main stage, ‘Big Name, No Blankets’ to tour into Victorian prisons.

  • New Guide Dogs home

    SEPT 2024: Guide Dogs Victoria opened the reimagined sensory campus.
    As former GDV Board member & Chair of the Captial Campaign Committee, Betty was a driving force for this major infrastructure. The new education wing is named after Betty

  • Impact award

    AUG 2024: Our triennial performing arts company, Polyglot Theatre Company takes home the 2024 PAX Australia Impact Award for their work When the World Turns in partnership with Arts Centre Melbourne

  • Keynote published

    DEC 2023: Sue Giles’ keynote address at our Annual Alumni Gathering has been published on Arts Hub. Read ‘Art Need and Impact’ here