Giving Program
Our donors help Brisbane Festival soar. Brisbane Festival donors play an integral part in sustaining the vibrancy and vitality of Brisbane’s cultural life. They lead the way in arts philanthropy, strengthening the city’s position as a thriving artistic hub of creativity. Guided by our dedicated Giving Committee, philanthropy continues to flourish with a passionate group of donors backing the success of Brisbane Festival.
Brisbane Festival’s Next Gen Committee is making a meaningful impact on the future of philanthropy. Launched in 2024, this exciting initiative welcomed a group of exceptional emerging philanthropists into the festival family. Over the past year they have actively championed the Giving Program, reaching out through their networks to inspire and engage a new generation of young donors. With energy, insight and fresh perspectives, the Next Gen Committee is shaping a vibrant and sustainable future for giving at Brisbane Festival.
The Giving Program allows Brisbane Festival to deliver artistic experiences of scale and ambition from artists and to keep those opportunities accessible for all. By staging free events and keeping ticket prices low, our donors dissolve barriers while helping Brisbane Festival artists dream big.
If you would like to become involved with the Giving Program by making a donation to Brisbane Festival, please contact the Philanthropy team at philanthropy@brisbanefestival.com.au.
All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible and Brisbane Festival will send you a tax receipt.
2026 Donor Acknowledgements
A heartfelt thank you to our generous donors for supporting Brisbane Festival 2026.
Game Changers
Philip Bacon AO
Tim Fairfax AC and Gina Fairfax AC
Community Ambassadors
Haymans Electrical
Shaun and Suzanne Kenny
Carolyn Vincent - Ubuntu Foundation
Dr Jane Wilson AO and Steve Wilson AM
Festival Advocates
I&C George Family Foundation
Liz Pidgeon and Graeme Wikman
High Commissioners
Anonymous x 2
Justice Thomas Bradley and Dr Matthew Yoong
Brett and Maria Clark
Frazer Family Foundation
Simon and Prue George
Harding Philanthropy
Michael Hodge
James and Prue Pateras
Kevin and Laura Perkins
Shepherd Family Foundation
Michele and Michael Taylor
Creative Champions
Kim and Luke Challenor
Judith Cush
Kim Hodge
John and Holly Livingstone
Annie and Stuart Macnaughton
Catherine Malouf
Russell Mann and Margot McLay
Ray White Collective
Jeffrey Searle
Jodie Siganto
The Commissioners
Antoinette Aquilina and Gary Hutchins
Ebony Bott
Nicki and Alan Cadd
Marshall and Fabienne Cooke
Heidi and James Cooper
Charlie and Alicia Cush
Dr Neal Harvey
Drs Elizabeth Hodge and Daniel Hagley
Scott Hooper and Claire Hooper
Susan Learmonth and Bernard Curran
Brendon Mann and Brendan Smith
Amanda Newbery
Greg and Wendy O'Meara
Petra and Jono Perry
The Hon Anthe Philippides
Dare and Andrea Power
Chanelle Simpson
Paul Spiro
Pat Walker and Troy Ballment
PJ Wolff and PJ Wolff
Tony and Linda Young
The Independents
Anonymous
Brisbane Junior Chamber of Commerce
Brisbane Tax Services Pty Ltd - Olivia Michail
Ingrid Costello
Bertie Cush
Denis and Andrea Cush
Tilly Cush
Bronwyn Klepp
Ashleigh Mansfield
Tim Pack and Katie Pack
Lois Penney and Stuart Birkbeck
Anna Reynolds and Ian O'Connor
Alison Smith
BFFs
Anonymous
Marty Evans
Zoe Graham
Xanthe Lowe-Brown
Michael Morris and Alesia Thorburn
Naomi Murphy
Jenny Usher and Peter Good
Liz Ward
From our Donors
“To see a show get commissioned, come to life, and then performed live and see the enjoyment it brings so many people, you can’t help but want to do more and more every year.”
Courtney Talbot, Giving Committee Deputy Chair
“I believe so emphatically in the value of the arts. It allows the artistic direction to be much bolder, and to put on great shows which would otherwise be unaffordable.”
Philip Bacon AO, Board Director Chair and Giving Commitee Member
“I really feel I am fulfilling a lot of my philanthropic goals by supporting the arts and seeing Brisbane evolve as a city.”
Virginia Bishop, Donor
Donate
All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible and Brisbane Festival will send you a tax receipt.