Rio Tinto and Black Swan Partnership Extended
Rio Tinto and Black Swan extend long-term partnership
Rio Tinto and Black Swan State Theatre Company have announced an extension of their long-standing partnership. Rio Tinto will continue as Black Swan’s Principal Partner for a further three years until the end of 2015, with an increased annual financial commitment of $250,000.
Now in its 13th year, the partnership has grown and evolved with the success of the state flagship theatre company, highlighted by the doubling of the company’s subscriber base this year. Black Swan is currently presenting its fourth of five main-stage shows in the State Theatre Centre’s Heath Ledger Theatre; with productions also touring Albany, Mandurah, Geraldton, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and London.
This partnership has been one of the longest and most mutually successful partnerships, with ongoing alignment and a shared focus on contributing to a sustainable Western Australian community.
The partnership originated in September 1998 between the former Hamersley Iron (part of the Rio Tinto Group) and Black Swan with a vision to take Western Australia’s predominantly Perth-focused theatre arts industry to the Pilbara, presenting theatre productions and running associated drama workshops.
A four-year deal was signed in 2005 to support all Perth and WA touring productions, including an emphasis on the Perth metropolitan area and youth skills development throughout the state.
This latest extension of the Principal Partnership has a renewed focus on creating a vibrant state in which to live and work. With the support of Rio Tinto, Black Swan aims to continue as a true State Theatre Company for Western Australia by growing audiences across the state nation and internationally, producing new commissions and sharing Western Australian stories; developing innovative projects that develop and diversify audiences and support theatre access for communities across WA.
Greg Lilleyman, Chair of the Rio Tinto Future Fund and President of Rio Tinto Pilbara Operations said: “Both Rio Tinto and Black Swan share a common set of values, and the extension of the partnership with Black Swan, one of Western Australia’s most exciting arts organisations, will enable Rio Tinto to continue its support of a more vibrant, creative and exciting community in Western Australia. We congratulate Black Swan on its many milestones and look forward to continuing this unique partnership.”
Kate Cherry, Black Swan’s Artistic Director said, “The partnership with Rio Tinto is a shining example of Rio Tinto’s deeply held commitment to the communities it operates in. The relationship between Black Swan and Rio Tinto has been absolutely outstanding in regards to our shared goals and strategic alignment, our cooperation on an operational level as well as the close personal working relationships that have developed over time. I look forward to continuing to work with Rio Tinto as a key supporter of Black Swan’s over the coming three years.”
