Australian Private Foundations And Arts Patron

This paper selects three significant Australian private foundations of different scale as case study to investigate and analyze the private foundation operational model, their donation pattern in arts and their impact on the national art scene in Australia.Through the study of three private foundations background and their founders' personalities, the paper epitomizes the historical development of Australia's private foundations. Their operational models, arts philanthropic strategies and the most important arts projects they supported since the 1990s are further investigated. The research showcases the differences and similarities between these three foundations in the contemporary society and underpins the synergic relationship between private foundations and the Australian government. It also shows how, in line with the national cultural strategy, the private foundations play an important role in the third sector to develop and promote Australian arts and national cultural identity.This research paper uses methodologies from arts management, historical and social studies, as well as statistical principles.