Spirit of the Arts

Qantas is proud to be a sponsor of the following Arts:

Art Gallery of NSW

The Yiribana Gallery, within the Art Gallery of NSW houses the largest permanent exhibition of indigenous Australian and Torres Strait artwork in world.

Qantas is proud to sponsor Yiribana Gallery at the Art Gallery of NSW.

Australia Business Arts Foundation

The Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF) promotes private sector engagement with the arts. AbaF connects business, the arts, donors and foundations through three programs:

• Partnering
• Volunteering
• Giving

Since 2001, Qantas has sponsored the 'QantasLink Regional Award' in the AbaF Awards. Qantas' support for this award allows AbaF to recognise and honour regional business arts partnerships, promote best practice in smaller, regional partnerships and inspire other regional arts organisations and businesses to form relationships.

Australian Chamber Orchestra

The Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO), founded in 1975, is a talented ensemble known for presenting exciting performances of the highest standard to audiences around the world. The ACO's unique artistic style encompasses not only the masterworks of the classical repertoire, but innovative cross-art form projects and a vigorous commissioning program.

Under the inspiring leadership of Artistic Director and Lead Violin, Richard Tognetti, the ACO has performed as a flexible and versatile 'ensemble of soloists', on modern and period instruments, as a small chamber group, as a small symphony orchestra and as an electro-acoustic collective. As Australia's only professional national orchestra, the ACO presents seven concerts in cities around Australia and at least one international tour a year. The ACO's dedication and musicianship has created relationships with celebrated soloists such as Steven Isserlis, John Williams, Dawn Upshaw, Imogen Cooper, Angela Hewitt, Ivry Gitlis, Pieter Wispelwey and Emmanuel Pahud.

Qantas is proud to be the Official Airline and an Official Partner of the Australian Chamber Orchestra.

Australian Girls Choir and The National Boys Choir of Australia

The Australian Girls Choir was founded in 1984 by Judith Curphey and their outstanding reputation as one of Australia's most dynamic choir's has been established in many hundreds of high profile performances at home and abroad. The choir is proud to provide high quality education and wonderful performance opportunities to nearly 3,500 girls across the country who are trained in song, dance and drama on a weekly basis.

Founded in 1964 and growing to around 200 choristers, the National Boys Choir of Australia has established itself as one of Australia's finest treble choirs. The Choir creates a musical community committed to providing choristers with an excellent choral music education, a love of singing and the opportunity for music and performance to contribute to their all round education for life.

Qantas first approached the two choirs in 1998 about the possibility of working on an advertising campaign for the airline. Filmed in spectacular locations around Australia and the world, the campaign was one of the most popular in Australian advertising history.

In 2000 and again in 2004 the Choirs were invited to appear in new versions of the original campaign. The making of the 2000 campaign was documented in Wandering Spirits, which aired on the Seven Network in Australia.

As a result of the success of the campaign, the choirs were invited to record the 'Spirit of Christmas' CD with a host of high profile Australian recording artists. The CD went platinum and was nominated for an ARIA award.

The choirs regularly perform at Qantas events and functions such as the Qantas Socceroos and Qantas Wallabies matches, the Australian Open and many other corporate events. They also represent Qantas at 'G'Day USA' and 'G'Day NZ' Australia Week Celebrations each year and also performed at World Youth Day in Sydney, of which Qantas was a major supporter.

Three campaigns and many thousands of miles later Qantas is delighted to be associated with the Australian Girls Choir and National Boys Choir of Australia.

Australian World Orchestra

One of the most exciting orchestral initiatives in Australia, the Australian World Orchestra's (AWO) vision is simple: to bring together Australia's finest classical musicians from around the world to form one of the country's most electrifying orchestras.

During the weekend of 26-29 August 2011 over 90 musicians, representing over 45 orchestras, all at the top of their game, joined together at the Sydney Opera House and Riverside Theatre, Parramatta to present its augural season of four concerts and celebrate the true essence of Australia's musical talents.

Australian musicians came home from playing in leading world orchestras such as the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra. They combined with Australia's own wonderful local musicians, directed by AWO's Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Alexander Briger.

Central to the concerts is the music, with works from Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Wagner, Sculthorpe and Dean. The first concert was held on Friday 26 August, and was conducted by internationally acclaimed Australian conductor Simone Young. The second concert, was on Saturday 27 August, and featured Brahms' majestic Academic Festival Overture, followed by the east coast premiere of Brett Dean's Vexations & Devotions, performed by the Philharmonia Choirs and Gondwana Voices, and conducted by the composer. The third concert, on Sunday 28 August, was a matinee family concert, which feathered excerpts of the previous two programs, along with Mackerras' Pineapple Poll. The fourth concert, on Monday 29 August at Parramatta Riverside Theatre, was an after school concert aimed at students and the wider community.

Bangarra Dance Theatre

Bangarra Dance Theatre is one of the youngest and oldest of Australia's dance companies. Its living traditions go back at least 40,000 years but it also reflects the lives and attitudes of indigenous people today. This unique company blends traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture with international contemporary dance influences to create a truly Australian dance language.

Under the artistic direction of Stephen Page since 1991, Bangarra has stunned audiences throughout Australia and the world with electric, startling and inherently spiritual dance works of immense theatrical presence.

Bangarra is committed to touring regional Australia every year under the Qantas 'Sharing the Spirit' campaign. Additionally, Bangarra tours to all main cities around Australia and in the past has undertaken international tours to the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, France, China and Japan.

Qantas is proud to partner Bangarra Dance Theatre.

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Gondwana National Indigenous Children's Choir

Qantas is proud to be a major partner of the Gondwana National Indigenous Children's Choir. Formed in July 2008, by Gondwana Choirs Artistic Director Lyn Williams OAM, the Choir offers talented young Indigenous Australians from across the country the opportunity to come together and sing and share the voice of their generation with Australia and the world through unique education and performance opportunities.

In July 2008, the Choir performed in World Youth Day festivities, welcoming Pope Benedict XVI to Australia with a piece that was written especially for them in the Dharug Indigenous language, English and Latin. In May 2009 the Choir performed at The Dreaming Festival in Woodford Queensland.

The Gondwana National Indigenous Children's Choir program also includes music skills development workshops in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia and regional music camps. The Choir is working to build a repertoire of songs in Indigenous languages and involves the children in creating new works with Australia's Indigenous musicians.

JERSEY BOYS The Musical

The story of Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons

JERSEY BOYS, the smash hit Broadway musical, is the story of how four blue collar boys from the wrong side of the tracks became one of the biggest American pop sensations of all time. Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi joined forces to become The Four Seasons, writing their own hits and developing their unique sound to sell over 175 million records before they were 30! JERSEY BOYS features 20 Four Seasons hit songs including "Sherry", "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Rag Doll", "Oh What a Night" and "Can't Take My Eyes Off You".

JERSEY BOYS - The story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, winner of four 2006 Tony Awards^® including Best Musical, winner of the 2009 Olivier Award for Best New Musical, won seven 2009 Victorian Green Room Awards, including Best Music Theatre Production! The JERSEY BOYS Original Cast Recording also won a 2006 Grammy Award^® for Best Musical Show Album. JERSEY BOYS has now been seen by over 9 million people around the world. JERSEY BOYS successful seasons include Broadway, London, Toronto, Las Vegas, Chicago, San Francisco, a US National Tour, Melbourne, and now, it is Sydney's turn!

See www.jerseyboysaustralia.com.au for more information or call Qantas Holidays on 13 14 15 to book your packages to Jersey Boys Sydney!

MARY POPPINS The Supercalifragilistic Musical

Disney and Cameron Mackintosh invite you to let your imagination take flight - as you rediscover the power of family, the joy of youth and the indelible memories that come to life at Cherry Tree Lane. Come and step into the magical world of MARY POPPINS.

Brilliantly adapted from the beloved books by Australia's own P.L.Travers and the classic 1964 Walt Disney film, MARY POPPINS opened at the Capitol Theatre Sydney in April 2011.

This spectacular production includes all of the best loved songs from the film including Chim Chim Cher-ee, A Spoonful of Sugar, Jolly Holiday, Step in Time, Feed the Birds and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

MARY POPPINS has dazzled millions of people around the globe and now it is your chance to experience the magic. This enchanting production lifts audiences to unparalleled heights and places the show at the top of every theatregoer's "must-see" list.

See www.marypoppinsthemusical.com.au for more information.

Museum of Contemporary Art

Opened in 1991, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), Sydney, is Australia's premier museum dedicated to exhibiting, interpreting and collecting contemporary art from across Australia and around the world.

The MCA presents an engaging program of exhibitions and special events on art and related issues. From major thematic exhibitions and surveys of established artists, solo exhibitions of mid career artists and new work by emerging artists, painting and sculpture to new media, the MCA program covers the range and diversity of contemporary art.

The MCA aims to place the work of Australian artists, indigenous and non-indigenous, within an international context. By presenting their work alongside that of their international peers as well as bringing major international exhibitions of contemporary art to Australia, the MCA seeks to stimulate dialogue between Australia and the rest of the world. The MCA also contributes to the promotion of the work of Australian artists through national and international exhibition touring programs.

National Gallery of Victoria

The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is the oldest public gallery in Australia and one of the State's major tourist attractions. The NGV is spread over two magnificent buildings - NGV International on St Kilda Road and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square. There is always a diverse and dynamic range of exhibitions, including international and touring shows, to ponder and enjoy.

The NGV Collection comprises more than 65,000 artworks spanning thousands of years, from the art of ancient civilisations right up to contemporary art, reflecting a multitude of different disciplines, periods, styles and inspirations.

NGV International houses the Gallery's collections of international art from Europe, Asia, America and Oceania and will be home to NGV Kids Space (opening 28 May 2011). At NGV Australia you will find the Australian art collection, from European settlement to the present day, including works by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities. NGV Studio (opening in May 2011) and NGV Kids Corner are also at NGV Australia.

Qantas Airways is proud to sponsor the Indigenous Galleries at The Ian Potter Centre:NGV Australia and is dedicated to supporting arts and cultural organisations across Australia.

Entry to the NGV Collection at both galleries is free, however, entry fees may apply to special exhibitions. For information visit the ngv.

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Opera Australia

Opera Australia is the vibrant identity for Australia's national opera company. Formed in 1956, it has grown to become one of the busiest opera companies in the world. It is a company that bears proud traditions of artistic excellence and popular appeal, that presents opera that excites audiences, and sustains and develops the art form.

As Australia's leading performing arts company, Opera Australia gives employment to more than 1,000 Australians per year. In 2008 Opera Australia gave over 280 performances in its mainstage seasons at the Sydney Opera House and the Arts Centre Melbourne, including seasons in Canberra and Brisbane, seen by more than 415,000 people. A further 22,700 people attended the 'Madame Butterfly' production all around Australia presented by Oz Opera, Opera Australia's regional access and development arm, and Oz Opera's Schools Company gave performances to more than 78,000 primary age children in New South Wales and Victoria.

Opera Australia continues to take steps on the world stage. Four productions were hired to other companies including Montreal and Houston, and our production of Rigoletto was presented in Macau. In 2009 Opera Australia will present Carmen in Taipei. Opera Australia is proud to recognise Qantas as our Official Airline.

Opera Australia has one primary aim: to enrich Australia's cultural life with exceptional opera and to present this exciting art form to as many people as possible. We need and welcome the ongoing support and endorsement of government and corporate Australia in realising these ambitions. Qantas is one of the longest standing partners of Opera Australia and we gratefully acknowledge its leadership role which supports the ongoing vitality of the national opera company.

Sydney Dance Company

Sydney Dance Company is Australia's premier contemporary dance company, internationally recognised for setting the benchmark for innovation, originality and technical excellence in Australian dance for over three decades. The Company's achievements have made a significant imprint on the global tapestry of dance, ensuring it an enviable place in the history of the art form.

Always recognised for its quotient of glamour, and its easy grasp of cultural relevance, Sydney Dance Company fuses contemporary dance with the worlds of fashion, music, art, theatre and design, bringing together inspired choreographers, composers and artists to produce premier works for the international stage.

Sydney Dance Company is a touring company and has performed to audiences in over 113 cities in 26 countries. Standing proudly on a strong foundation, emerging from a radiant past, the company has entered a new era with Artistic Director, Rafael Bonachela at the helm adding a repertoire acclaimed for its vivid theatricality and inventive choreography, the company will tour to Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane, and further to Venice and Shanghai in 2010.

Sydney Dance Company gratefully acknowledges the support of its Official Airline, Qantas and celebrates 30 Years of Partnership.

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Sydney Theatre Company

Sydney Theatre Company has been Australia's leading force in quality theatre since its establishment in 1978. They perform 52 weeks a year - working across a broad spectrum from the classic repertoire to new commissions, from the very popular to the most challenging, with works appealing to a diverse audience from the keen theatre-goer to the first time attendee.

The Company regularly tours its productions throughout Australia, playing to a total audience of over 300,000 people each year. In 2008 Sydney Theatre Company's annual subscription season features 12 plays including 'The Narcissist' which is proudly presented by Qantas.

Packed to the brim with narcissists of every stripe, withering one liners and wild farce, this production from Brisbane's La Boite Theatre Company was a massive success up in Queensland and promises to roar into the Sydney Opera House on all cylinders.

To book tickets and for further information visit the STC website.

Qantas has been a committed sponsor of Sydney Theatre Company for over 7 years.

The Australian Ballet

Founded in 1962, The Australian Ballet is one of Australia's flagship arts companies, and for over four decades has been the defining face of ballet in Australia.

Each year, it performs works from the classical repertoire as well as contemporary works by major Australian and international choreographers, and new commissions that explore the development and future of this dynamic art form.

One of the busiest ballet companies in the world, The Australian Ballet annually presents approximately 200 performances in cities and regional areas around Australia, in addition to regular international touring. Recent tours include Tokyo, Shanghai, Auckland, Cardiff and a season in London for which the company won the UK Critics Circle Award for Best Foreign Company.

Versatility, technical excellence and a warm, friendly style are the trademarks of The Australian Ballet, qualities that have earned it both critical and audience acclaim.

The Melbourne Prize Trust

The Melbourne Prize Trust, launched in 2004, has been established with the vision to recognise and reward excellence and talent, inspire creative development and enrich public life by providing opportunities to develop our creative resources across literature, music and (urban) sculpture. These objectives are achieved by running the annual Melbourne Prize, which is funded through cross-sector partnerships with the Melbourne Prize Trust, which is not-for-profit charitable organisation.

As an initiative of the Committee for Melbourne and first offered in 2005, the annual Melbourne Prize is one of the most valuable prizes of its kind in Australia. It runs in a three-year cycle comprising the Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture (2011), the Melbourne Prize for Literature (2012) and the Melbourne Prize for Music (2013). For further information please visit the Melbourne Prize Trust website.

To the annual Melbourne Prize has distributed more than $700,000 in prizes across the three cultural sectors, facilitated artist residencies and provides a free public exhibition of finalists at Federation Square each November.

Now entering its third cycle this year, the annual Melbourne Prize has an eminent alumni. Please visit our website or follow us on facebook and twitter.

The Walkley Foundation

The Walkley Foundation supports and encourages excellence in Australian journalism through the annual Walkley Awards and a national program of events. Since their launch in 1956, the Walkley Awards have grown from five to 33 categories. Today the Walkleys recognise photography, cartooning, artwork, non-fiction literature and online journalism, as well as all kinds of media. As technology evolves, Australians have access to more information than ever - on the internet, mobile phones and beyond. In times like these it's important to hold high standards for journalism, and to recognise the work Australian reporters do at home and abroad - bearing witness, exposing the truth, and building understanding in an increasingly complex world.

The Walkley Foundation supports journalists around Australia and throughout the Asia Pacific region through networking, emergency support and professional development events. Exhibitions of Walkley-winning photography tour the country each year, watch out for them in your state. Visit www.walkleys.com to learn more about the Walkleys and great Australian journalism, or to order your copy of The Walkley Magazine - Inside the Media.

Qantas is proud to support The Walkley Foundation for excellence in journalism.