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The Arts & Culture Award is presented in celebration of excellence in achievement and/or significant contribution at a state, national or international level to the development, promotion and profiling of arts and culture disciplines in Western Australia.
Meet our 2023 Arts & Culture Award finalists:
Paul Chamberlain
Paul Chamberlain is a passionate supporter and benefactor of the arts in Western Australia. As the current chair of the Art Gallery of Western Australia Foundation, his efforts have been critical in raising funds for the gallery and bringing in new supporters to help with important acquisitions.
Paul established the now well-known Arts Impact WA, a collective giving initiative that focuses on the arts. Arts Impact W A is a clever model of collective giving that has been particularly useful during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has devastated cultural industries.
Paul is also a founding member of Impact 100 WA, which has given away over $2.4 million to date to over 40 not-for-profit organisations. He is a former Chair of FORM, a creative community arts organisation that helped launch the “PUBLIC” project, where large-scale murals were installed across Perth and regional areas.
Together with his wife, Paul provides much needed funding to many artistic organisations in Western Australia. Without the Chamberlain’s generosity, many artistic endeavours simply could not be realised.
Overall, Paul’s commitment to promoting the arts and culture in our state is unparalleled. His contributions to the arts community have been transformative, making it possible for grassroots artistic projects to receive critical funding and for the state’s stories and talents to reach a wider audience. His dedication to giving back and improving the vibrancy and success of Perth as a City is truly inspiring.
Iain Grandage
Iain Grandage is a celebrated Australian composer and music director, currently serving as Artistic Director for Perth Festival. He has received numerous awards for his contributions to the arts, including seven Helpmann Awards, the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Award, and the Ian Potter Emerging Composer Fellowship.
Even with the unprecedented challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, The Perth Festival flourished under Iain’s leadership. His creative vision ensured that the Festival continues to attract major international acts, including a highly successful 70th anniversary celebration featuring Björk that attracted 4,000 tourists to WA.
Iain has always demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting local artists, focusing on amplifying Noongar voices and creating a more inclusive Festival that connects performers, audiences, and events to the community and place around them. As both a composer and conductor Iain has gained critical acclaim, with his Helpmann Award-winning compositions for stage productions such as Cloudstreet, The Secret River, and The Rabbits.
Iain has also played a key role in helping produce some of Perth’s most unique events, including the renowned ‘Highway to Hell’ concert along Canning Highway. Despite facing numerous obstacles, Iain’s positive attitude has enabled him to continue connecting people through music, art, and stories, creating understanding, kindness and empathy. Plans for Iain’s final Perth Festival in 2024 are well underway, and it is expected
Tim Ungar
Tim Ungar has earned his nomination for Western Australian of the Year thanks to his exceptional contributions to the arts and culture scene in Western Australia. As a dedicated philanthropist and businessman, Tim has supported diversity and helped drive post-COVID arts recovery. With his extensive experience as a former Telstra executive and co-owner and Chair of TSA Group, Tim has proven to be highly adept at guiding organisations through challenging times.
Tim’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic was particularly noteworthy. As Chair of the Perth Festival, he provided crucial expertise and guidance, helping survive the disruption of frequent shutdowns, plummeting revenue and other obstacles. He was responsible for making the difficult decisions that allowed the festival to continue through the pandemic and then prosper in 2023.
Tim’s interests extend beyond the operational aspects of the Perth Festival. He has worked to diversify the festival’s funding and secure its long-term sustainability. Through initiatives like the Perth Festival Patrons and the Chair’s Giving Circle, he aims to develop young and emerging artists and provide them with sustainable careers.
Tim also applies his philanthropic efforts to other important issues including environmental sustainability and homelessness. His commitment to giving back to the community has been an essential part of his mission to see artists thrive and enhance Western Australia’s vital arts sector.
