The Artist Relief Fund’s Student Endowments – Supported by Minderoo Foundation were created in 2020 as an initiative of Artist Relief Fund WA and Minderoo Foundation. Across five years, twenty nine emerging artists studying one of the major performing arts streams at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts received an Endowment, supporting them in their studies and careers.

endowment alumni

Lila McGuire – winner (aboriginal theatre) 2020

“I cannot stress how much The Artist Relief Fund’s Student Endowment – Supported by Minderoo Foundation helped me… I was able to focus on my studies to a much greater extent and do what I love to do.

I have since been accepted into the Bachelor of Arts in Acting at WAAPA which is a huge achievement that I’m not sure I would have been able to do without this award.”

Whadjuk and Wardarndi Noongar woman Lila McGuire went on to have her mainstage debut as the title role in Perth Festival and Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company’s Panawathi Girl. Lila was identified as a rising talent and hailed by The West Australian as one of WA’s “faces to watch”.

2024 Alumni

Aboriginal Performance Reese Horne

Acting Monique Mitchell

Dance Georgina Simpson

Music Theatre Kimberly Macgown

Performing Arts Sanna Ansaldo

Production & Design Kristopher Long

2023 Alumni

Aboriginal Performance Cadence McNamara

Acting Riley Warner

Dance Ruby Brazzalotto

Music Theatre Jake Binns

Performing Arts Marie-Eve Cigna

Production & Design Verity Wyllie

2022 Alumni

Aboriginal Performance Lucy Arnall

Acting Ruby Henaway

Dance Tegan Carter

Music Theatre Mia Guglielmi

Performing Arts Harrison Lorenz-Daniel

Production & Design Elouise Greenwell

2021 Alumni

Aboriginal Performance Taj Jamieson

Acting Remy Danoy

Dance Sarah Kinch

Music Theatre Jackson Britza

Performing Arts Alexandra Veleva

Production & Design Skye Heales

2020 Alumni

Aboriginal Performance Lila McGuire

Acting Angelica Lockyer

Dance Indiana Mulherin

Music Theatre Sam Moloney

Performing Arts Jacob Sgouros