An amazing gift

By Emma Doherty

The Melbourne Recital Centre (MRC) last month received a $1 million donation from the Betty Amsden Foundation, its largest bequest ever.

The bequest will be invested in children’s programming, in honour of the late Ms Amsdens’ commitment to music education.

An advocate for the arts in Melbourne, Ms Amsden was particularly passionate about the exposure to, and participation in, music and the performing arts.

Well-known for promoting the importance of supporting the arts, she was also a seed funder for a number of the centre’s initiatives focused on learning and outreach such as the Music Play Children’s Festival and Music Circle Patrons Program.

In 2016, Ms Amsden said: “I believe it’s critical to teach children the value of music and telling stories in this way.”

In honour of her work, MRC will use the bequest to extend the centre’s current programming, whilst also using it to develop new content.

MRC chair Kathryn Flagg said: “It is an honour to be entrusted with the resources Betty intended Melbourne Recital Centre to have to develop music programs that continue her commitment to participation in the arts and strengthen the centre’s connection with our community and particularly with young people.”

Over 2016 and 2017, the centre hosted more than 14,000 young people across various events and programs, and the Betty Amsden Kids & Family Program is expected to see those numbers grow.

The program will see the centre introduce more relaxed performances for families, weekly music sessions for the community, see more touring family programs and acts, concerts during school holidays and a four-day festival every January called Music Play.

melbournerecital.com.au