Award prompts further donations to NZ artists

Roderick and Gillian Deane recognised for substantial and sustained arts patronage

Award prompts further donations to New Zealand artists

Long-time supporters of the arts, Roderick and Gillian Deane, have been honoured for their substantial and sustained generosity to the arts with the annual Arts Foundation of New Zealand Award for Patronage, presented by Perpetual Trust.

The pair has been given $20,000 by the Arts Foundation to distribute to artists or arts projects of their choice. Their Award was presented at Government House in Wellington last night at a ceremony hosted by Arts Foundation Vice Regal Patron His Excellency The Hon Anand Satyanand, PCNZM QSO, Governor-General of New Zealand and his wife Mrs Susan Satyanand.

In line with previous recipients of the award, Dr and Mrs Deane have announced they will double the fund and distribute $40,000 to four high profile donation recipients. Bass baritone Jonathan Lemalu, soprano opera singer Anna Leese, dancer Delia Mathews, and the TOWER New Zealand Youth Choir will each receive $10,000.

The annual awards honour philanthropists who are making an active contribution to the arts in New Zealand. Private support for the arts is crucial to its survival and the Arts Foundation hopes this Award will inspire others to donate to the arts. Previous recipients are Denis and Verna Adam (2006) and Jenny Gibbs (2007).

One of those receiving a $10,000 donation, Jonathan Lemalu, said he had always been amazed by the Deanes’ “humility, warmth and generosity.”

“For such respected members of New Zealand society, it is hard to believe they would take an interest in a young man from Dunedin who had nothing but a joy for singing…They have become a huge part of my family life, and support and encourage me in all I do.”

Ros Burdon, Chair of the Arts Foundation of New Zealand said the Arts Foundation was proud to honour the Deanes as model patrons and great contributors to the arts in New Zealand.

“Gillian and Roderick Deane have quietly and consistently provided decades of significant support to the arts. They have contributed to a multitude of arts projects, organisations and artists, and have always directed their assistance with careful consideration and a heartfelt desire to see people succeed.”

Dr and Mrs Deane created the Deane Endowment Trust in memory of their daughter Kristen, with the intention to assist and benefit the community and individuals in the fields of the arts and culture, scientific research, education, the environment, disability, and the work of charitable voluntary organisations.

Their focus on the arts and culture is by way of sponsorship, through the Trust, of a number of exhibitions and publications by a range of art galleries and museums; by the use of scholarships and grants, especially for educational purposes for young singers, musicians, dancers and artists exhibiting outstanding potential; and through donations to a number of classical music and opera organisations particularly, but not exclusively, those centred in Wellington.

The Deanes said the pleasure they receive from supporting the arts is more than worth any small contribution made.

“Whatever small contributions we are able to make to the arts and the other activities which we support, is much more than matched by the enjoyment and pleasure we receive from being able to help other people in a small way,” Mrs Deane said.

Presenting Sponsor, Perpetual Trust, has more than 120 years experience in managing charitable trusts. Chief Executive, Louise Edwards said: "Perpetual understands the value of charitable giving throughout society. We have enjoyed working with Roderick and Gillian Deane in respect of a variety of matters over a number of years. We are therefore delighted to be Presenting Sponsor of this Award in the year that they are acknowledged."

Neil Paviour-Smith, Managing Director of the Arts Foundation’s Principal Sponsor - Forsyth Barr said: “As Principal Sponsor and managers of the Arts Foundation’s Endowment Fund, we’re pleased the Award for Patronage provides the opportunity to celebrate significant patrons. Roderick and Gillian are committed patrons, influencing New Zealand's cultural landscape significantly; and Forsyth Barr warmly congratulates them.”

ENDS
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For more information or interviews please contact:
Simon Bowden -021 746 706
or
Coran Lill – 027 600 8602

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2008 AWARD FOR PATRONAGE RECIPIENTS:

Roderick and Gillian Deane
Gillian and Roderick Deane created the Deane Endowment Trust in memory of their daughter Kristen, with the intention to assist and benefit the community and individuals in the fields of the arts and culture, scientific research, education, the environment, disability, and the work of charitable voluntary organisations.

Their focus on the arts and culture is by way of sponsorship, through the Trust, of a number of exhibitions and publications by a range of art galleries and museums; by the use of scholarships and grants, especially for educational purposes for young singers, musicians, dancers and artists exhibiting outstanding potential; and through donations to a number of classical music and opera organisations particularly, but not exclusively, those centred in Wellington.

Organisations and individuals involved in the arts who have benefited from the Deane Endowment Trust are too numerous to mention, but include: major grants to the New Dowse in Lower Hutt and the City Gallery Wellington building extension programmes; assistance to most major and some smaller art galleries in the Wellington region, including Te Papa, Pataka, Mahara and the Portrait Gallery; sponsorships of the NZ Symphony Orchestra, the NZ Chamber Music and Opera societies, the NZ String Quartet, the NZ Youth Choir and Tower Voices; awards and scholarships in a number of areas to young people establishing themselves in the academic world and on the international stage; contributions towards publications including a range of books and catalogues produced by Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, the City Gallery Wellington and for biographies, and the promotion and establishment of a number of charitable trusts including the Arts Foundation of New Zealand.

Support from the Deanes has also spread across the Tasman with a number of Australian organisations receiving support, including the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney, the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, the Victoria Tapestry Workshop and Opera Australia.

PROFILES OF DONATION RECIPIENTS

JONATHAN LEMALU is a sought-after talent on the international concert, operatic and recital circuit, known for his powerful, warm and captivating bass baritone voice. Booked years ahead for prestigious European and American concert halls, and with a three-year recording contract with EMI Classics, Jonathan’s talent is drawing the spotlight on a world stage. Critics and audiences in many countries have responded to his stage presence and intelligent interpretive ability.

A New Zealand-born Samoan, Jonathan was educated in Dunedin, studying both law and music at the University of Otago and graduating with a Bachelor of Laws. He completed three years study at the Royal College of Music (RCM), taking with him the College’s highly esteemed gold medal. In his first year he completed a postgraduate certificate then gained a place on the two-year RCM London Royal Schools Opera Course, now known as the RCM Benjamin Britten International Opera School, Jonathan first recorded for EMI Classics in 2001 on the Debut label, to critical acclaim, going on to win the prestigious Gramophone award for Best Debut Recording at the 2002 awards. Jonathan released his first major EMI recording in 2005, a selection of popular opera arias. He is the recipient of numerous scholarships and the winner of numerous awards.

ANNA LEESE is an emerging soprano opera singer who made her debut at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in 2007, as Musetta in Bizet’s Carmen. Born in 1981, her introduction to music was predominantly choral, singing in church choirs, the New Zealand Secondary Students Choir and the Tower New Zealand Youth Choir. She graduated after earning several prizes from the University of Otago, and has gone on to win an impressive list of awards and aria prizes. Since moving to the Royal College of Music and while at the Benjamin Britten International Opera School in London, Anna has already gained a list of solo performances and operatic roles and has performed with the Royal Opera House, Canadian Opera and the New Zealand Opera company.

Most recently, Anna was invited to sing duets and arias with tenor Carreras at his concert in Newcastle, England. Anna Leese also has the added honour of having a rose named after her. Bred by Tom Carruth in California, the rose will be introduced to Matthews Nurseries in Wanganui in 2009. Her debut CD is due for release in May 2008.

“New Zealand artists are so lucky to have the Deanes as patrons, not only for their incredible financial support, but also for their genuine interest in forwarding careers and making it easier for us to do well in our chosen paths.” – Anna Leese

DELIA MATHEWS was judged one of the best young dancers in Britain at the age of 16. Two years on, she continues her studies at the Royal Ballet School in London having entered the school in September 2005 as a 15-year-old, the youngest in the intake of that year of 28 students from around the world. From Tauranga, Delia has studied ballet from the age of five. She was invited to audition at the Royal Ballet School after the school saw a video of her dancing. Delia has won numerous national awards including the N.Z. B.B.O. Espinosa Award twice and was twice the highest place in the Young British Dancer of the Year Award. At sixteen she was a prize winner at the two International Ballet Competitions, the Jury Grand Prize in Beijing and as a laureate at the Prix de Lausanne (a competition designed to find future ballet stars).

In 2007 she performed in La Bayadere with the Royal Ballet Company and The Nutcracker with Birmingham Royal Ballet Company. In 2008 she performed in Swan Lake and The Orpheus Suite with the Birmingham Royal Ballet Company, touring England and Ireland. Delia graduates in July 2008 after which she will join the Birmingham Royal Ballet Company. Her ultimate goal is to become a principal dancer.

“I am indebted to Dr and Mrs Deane for their generosity in supporting me over the last three years. They showed a belief in me when I started at the Royal Ballet School and have been my only New Zealand funders. They have showed great interest in and support of me for which I am extremely grateful.” – Delia Mathews

THE TOWER NEW ZEALAND YOUTH CHOIR has gained an international reputation, following eight overseas tours, and a large following nationally through their numerous New Zealand performances. Formed in 1979, the choir’s international successes began in 1986 when it won the Youth Choir section of the Let the People Sing competition. It won the same title in 1992 as well as the Silver Rose Bowl as the best of 26 choirs from 15 countries. The choir represented New Zealand at the 3rd World Choral Symposium in Vancouver in 1993 and the 4th World Choral Symposium in Sydney, Australia in 1996.

In 1999 it won the title of Choir of the World at the 2007 International Festival of Music in Cantonigros, Spain. Twelve recordings have been released to critical acclaim, and the choir also provided backing vocals on the two ENZSO album releases. The results of a regular commissioning programme from New Zealand composers feature in the choir’s repertoire. The TOWER New Zealand Youth Choir’s Artistic Director is Dr Karen Grylls.

“In 1989, under Roderick Deanes’ guidance, Electricorp became sponsor of the National Youth Choir at a critical time in the choir’s history. Roderick and Gillian’s ongoing personal support for the choir and for individual alumni, many of whom have gone on to international careers, has been substantial. We are immensely grateful to them both and are delighted that they are being appropriate recognised.” – Alan Walmsley, chairman, TOWER New Zealand Youth Choir.

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