The Balnaves Foundation is a founding donor of Sydney Opera House’s inaugural Annual Giving Program through the Balnaves Foundation Open House Program. The Balnaves Foundation not only contributes financially to Sydney Opera House but supports our vision to make our performing arts centre and world icon accessible to all. The Balnaves Foundation Open House Program is the first ever access program of this kind at Sydney Opera House.
The Balnaves Foundation Open House Program was created to broaden community access to Sydney Opera House and the arts by offering subsidising tickets at $5 to selected performances. The program, based on the Hamlyn-Club model at London’s Royal Opera House, has become overwhelmingly popular with community groups and individuals alike.
Community groups such as Mission Australia, Reconnect, ACON, CentaCare, The Salvation Army and many more have been highly supportive of the program, promoting performances to their clients and bringing groups to attend shows. The program has included a diverse selection of performances from Tim Minchin’s comedic cabaret to the adorable Babies Proms’ Santa Babies to the iconic Australian Circus Oz and French mime artist Julien Cotterau in Imagine Toi.
The Balnaves Foundation has enabled more than 1000 people to have the opportunity to visit Sydney Opera House and enjoy live performance, most for the first time. Sydney Opera House thanks the Balnaves Foundation for both its vision and support for this wonderful program. Our audiences have been equally as grateful:
"All went really well. In total 12 young people attended, and all of them loved it. Some said that they have not laughed that much ever before." David Freeman, Youth Health Education Officer, Traxside Youth Health Service
"I would like to pass on our many thanks to the Balnaves Foundation for their support to arts events at the Opera House…. residents of Boarding Houses in Marrickville are either frail, aged or have a disability including many who are living with a mental illness. Residents pay between 85% - 100% of their income to board and lodging which leaves little to access leisure pursuits... We have 4 residents attending …This is likely to be a first experience for the residents to attend something at the Sydney Opera House or to see a world class act." Leigh Connell, Boarding House Project Coordinator, Newtown Neighbourhood Centre
"Thank you for the tickets for Circus Oz. It was really wonderful for both the children and their carers who benefited so much from some time out of the stress of life. It was a great show and everyone was impressed. They loved the Opera House and excitement of being in the harbour on a sunny weekend too." Lindy Yoannidis, Project Office, Woollahra Careers Network
"I just want to thank you for the opportunity you gave some of our children to experience something so special - a production at the Opera House. We had a wonderful time with highlights being putting a decoration on the tree, singing carols and the simple pleasure of a sandwich and popper sitting on the Opera House steps. All the children and adults had a lovely time, so again thank you." Liz Farry, Manager, SDN Redfern Child & Family Learning Centre
"Thank you all for organising our tickets for A Porthole Into The Mind Of The Vanquished. We really enjoyed the performance and love The Studio theatre space. The performance was innovative, crazy, bewildering, sickening, ridiculous, hilarious, clever and more. We would definitely be interested in any other performances under the Balnaves Foundation." Lindy Yoannidis, Project Officer, Woollahra Carers Network
"Many of the people in our group came to the Sydney Opera House for the first time, mainly because they cannot afford the normally expensive tickets. Most of our members are retired and live in housing commission units located in Waterlo, Redfern and Surry Hills. Everyone enjoyed the performance (Camille) and asked to pass on heartfelt thanks to Mr Balnaves for his thoughtful generosity" Mira Grinberg, Jewish Refugees from the Former Soviet Union.
Reservations & Bookings:
Telephone: 02 9250 7777
Email:
openhouse@sydneyoperahouse.com
Enquiries:
Telephone: 02 9250 7812
Email:
openhouse@sydneyoperahouse.com
Program:
Edward Scissorhands
3 June, 6.30pm
