Crown Resorts chairman James Packer announced this week that Crown Resorts Foundation (CRF) and the Packer family will donate a proposed $60 million to the Sydney/Western Sydney arts community.

Packer pledged $30 million from Crown Resorts as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs and $30 million privately from the Packer family, beginning in the 2014/15 financial year. It has been proposed that the fund will be known as the Crown Resorts Foundation Sydney Arts Fund and that half of the funding will be committed to and spent in Western Sydney.

Distribution of the proposed Crown Resorts Foundation Sydney Arts Fund will include:

• $30 million to Sydney art and cultural institutions; Sydney Theatre Company to receive $15 million, Art Gallery of NSW $10 million and $5 million to organisations including the MCA, Bangarra Dance Company, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Sydney Dance Company, Sydney Opera House and a number of others.
• A further $30 million to Western Sydney Arts; allowing organisations and institutions to apply for funding and awarded on merit. It is envisaged there will be a mix of CRF funding for capital, art programs and scholarships for the people of Western Sydney.

The Crown Resorts Foundation Board, chaired by The Hon Helen Coonan, will administer the proposed fund and will receive support and advice from Ms Gretel Packer who was instrumental in developing this initiative. Independent cultural advisers will be appointed from Western Sydney to advise and support the CRF Board in the awarding of Western Sydney grant.