Helping WA artists and kids in need this end of financial year

Every year the arts brings joy, inspiration and opportunity to millions of WA families, but now more than ever, they need our help. There’s less than 10 days to donate and claim your end-of-year tax deduction. If you are in a position to help, here’s a handful of awesome arts organisations to consider.

Yirra Yaakin

One of the nation's leading Indigenous theatre companies, Yirra Yaakin provides a platform for Noongar stories, language and artists, as well as those from other First Nations people.  The donations from this EOFY will go directly to Yirra Yaakin’s Solidarity Projects Series, including the Yirra Play Club, an initiative they have launched to keep their artists creating and/or up-skilling during the COVID—19 pandemic. More information on how to donate to Yirra Yaakin can be found here.

WAAPA

A place that inspires young artists and enhances the cultural value of Perth, WAAPA looks to support its students in as many ways as possible. Being part of ECU, WAAPA students can benefit from the ECU Student Hardship Fund, for which ECU are matching dollar for dollar, with no administration fees, so every dollar goes straight to support students. If you wish to support WAAPA as an organisation itself, you can donate directly to the WAAPA General fund by following the instructions here.

PICA

PICA’s priority during this challenging time has been to continue to support visual and performing artists. To show your support you can opt for one of their donor programs, make a pledge, become a patron, or make a contactless donation in the gallery foyer. Every dollar supports PICA’s artistic program and PICA’s new Instant Philanthropy program provides an affordable way to ensure PICA can continue to create defining moments for artists, art forms and audiences. Make a tax-deductible donation to PICA to show your support for contemporary arts and the creative future of Perth.

Barking Gecko Theatre

WA’s longest running professional theatre company, Barking Gecko Theatre creates award-winning theatre for children and families. They believe that creativity is a powerful antidote in the face of adversity, aiming to support children’s mental wellbeing and build their resilience. Barking Gecko will play a unique role bringing children safely and joyfully together again, and have launched their $20 for 2020 campaign to help achieve that goal. A small donation of $20 will go directly to support Barking Gecko’s new show HOUSE. More information on how to donate can be found here.

Freeze Frame Opera

Established in 2016, Freeze Frame Opera is a local independent Opera company which proudly supports WA local artists and delivers a brand of opera that is revitalised and reframed to appeal to modern audiences. During the coronavirus pandemic, FFO delivered more than 140 street serenades on the back of a truck, and brought the joy of Opera to those in isolation. To support FFO, their artists and a new kind of Opera, tax deductible donations can be made here.

Awesome Arts

Held every October in the Perth Cultural Centre, the AWESOME International Arts Festival for Bright Young Things (AWESOME Festival) presents an extraordinary array of unique, thought-provoking and engaging contemporary arts experiences for children aged 0 - 12 and their families. By donating to their Awesome For All campaign, you'll be supporting local schools and young people to engage with the arts.

WASO

A stalwart of the WA arts scene since 1928, WASO is committed to sharing extraordinary music. We all need music, now more than ever, and while they can't perform for you on the mainstage, they invite you to donate to let the music play on! Donations go towards supporting the orchestra and their musicians, as well as their extensive community programs throughout the state.

Musica Viva

A national organisation, Musica Viva has been supporting musicians, teachers and students in isolation through their Musica Viva in Schools performances and online teacher professional development. This new initiative gives students and teachers across Western Australia the chance to keep accessing quality content and music education with schools as far north as Kununurra, all the way south in Ravensthorpe, and many places in between. A donation to Musica Viva this EOFY will give hope through music to children across Western Australia, while also providing much needed work to Australian musicians. Donations can be made here, and for any additional information, refer to this video.

Perth Symphony Orchestra

Perth Symphony Orchestra’s mission is ‘Music for Everyone,’ in which they take the orchestra out of the concert hall and into the community, as well as spaces you’d never expect to find a symphony orchestra. It exists to give the largest number of people possible the chance to experience the magic of the symphony orchestra. To support the PSO in their goal of bringing music to everyone, tax deductible donations can be made here, but if you’re not able to support them financially, they have created a guide of all the ways one can help them without spending a cent here.