University celebrates $14m philanthropic partnership

Melbourne celebrates 14M philanthropic partnership - Ian Potter Southbank Centre
The Ian Potter Southbank Centre. Image courtesy of John Wardle Architects.

In recognition of the remarkable generosity of the Ian Potter Foundation, the University of Melbourne today announced it will name the new Melbourne Conservatorium of Music building the Ian Potter Southbank Centre.

This comes as the Foundation announces a donation of $4million to support the building of a new home for MCM students and staff on the University’s Southbank campus.

The gift joins a series of donations from the Foundation totalling $14 million towards the revitalisation of the University’s Southbank campus, including their support for the current redevelopment of the former Police Stables in Dodds Street.

University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Glyn Davis said this latest philanthropic contribution will ensure world-class facilities for students at the MCM into the future and help showcase the talent of Australia’s next generation of artists and performers at the VCA and MCM.

“The importance of philanthropy in supporting the arts cannot be overstated," Professor Davis said.

"This is why we are delighted to name the new Conservatorium building the Ian Potter Southbank Centre.

“It is a mark of the Foundation’s vital role in revitalising our Southbank campus, so the work of future artists and musicians, ground breaking art collections and extraordinary architecture can be shared with the people of Melbourne.”

Ian Potter Foundation Chairman Charles Goode said the Foundation was pleased to support the relocation of the renowned Melbourne Conservatorium of Music to the University’s Art Campus at Southbank.

“It is a significant project in the heart of Melbourne’s Art Precinct and will allow the University to provide expanded music education of the highest quality for future generations,” Mr Goode said.

The Ian Potter Southbank Centre is expected to open its doors in late 2018 for the 2019 academic year.

The gift forms part of Believe - the Campaign for the University of Melbourne, the University’s largest philanthropic undertaking.

Aiming to change the lives of future generations, the University is seeking to raise $1 billion in philanthropic funding by 2021, along with engaging 100 000 alumni in the life of the University.