Ian McDougall, Chair of Lucy Guerin Inc today announced that Chloe Munro AO, the former LGI Chair who passed away in June 2021 has made a bequest of two million dollars — the largest ever for Australian contemporary dance — to the company, with specific obligations to its usage.
Lucy Guerin Inc will receive an amount of $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 ten independent artists will each receive fellowships of $50,000 for their professional and personal development. Chloe was familiar with all of these artists through their work with LGI and as part of the Melbourne dance community.
LGI Chair Ian McDougall said: “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.”
Chloe Munro AO was the inaugural chair of the federal government’s Clean Energy Regulator, and a visionary pioneer of a clean energy future. She was a distinguished leader in both the public and private sectors, with particular expertise in energy, climate change, infrastructure and natural resources, as well as an Independent chair, non-executive director, coach, mentor and trusted adviser. She served on LGI board of directors from May 2009 to June 2019 including her time as Chair from March 2013 onwards, during which time the company achieved significant growth.
LGI Artistic Director Lucy Guerin AO said: “Chloe Munro led the organisation with a down to earth and positive wisdom. 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 seeing 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. Chloe discussed the purpose of the fellowships and who she felt should be the recipients, which the company will execute in line with her intentions. She was deeply sympathetic to artists, especially to independent dancers and choreographers who have struggled so much across the past few years. We extend our deepest gratitude to Chloe for her remarkable contribution to the future of contemporary dance in Australia.”
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.
About Lucy Guerin Inc
Led by Artistic Director Lucy Guerin AO and Executive Producer Brendan O’Connell, Lucy Guerin Inc is an Australian dance company renowned for the skill and originality of its small group of performers and dedicated to challenging and extending the art of contemporary dance. LGI realises this through the creation of new dance works which regularly tour nationally and internationally, and by supporting the work of emerging and established artists through its wide-ranging studio programs. In 2023 the Melbourne based company will celebrate its 21st birthday.
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