Marcia Hines Headlines Bouddi Foundation for the Arts Grant Awards

Twenty-one young Central Coast artists received grants from $500 to $5000 on Sunday, 6 November, at the annual Bouddi Foundation for the Arts Awards Day at Wagstaffe Hall. (read more)

Chairman of the Bouddi Foundation for the Arts, Shakespearean actor and theatrical director John Bell AO, OBE, FRSN, presented awards totalling $57,600 in a ceremony featuring presentations from four grantees and capped by a stirring rendition by headline artist Marcia Hines AM of the song “You.” Since its inception in 2011, the Foundation has made 186 grants worth over $375,500.

Award grantee Fletcher Pilon, a singer/songwriter from Wamberal whose aim is to be “a headline act in a big arena concert,” opened on stage with his original and evocative tune “Nothing is Here for Long.” A young and already accomplished flautist, Brooklyn resident Kayla Lush amazed the audience with her unaccompanied Debussy piece for flute, “Syrinx.” Promising Umina Beach writer, actor, and director Max Lindhardt-Ward brought down the house with his comedic monologue between a son and a deceased mother. Rising Musical Theatre singer and dancer Lily Kennedy-Head of Avoca Beach, wrapped up grantee performances with a beautiful cover of “Quiet” by Jonathan Reid Gealt, made famous by Natalie Weiss.

Bell noted that “Every year, I am astonished at the depth of talent among young people from the Central Coast”, he said, “and 2022 is no exception. Indeed, the level of artistry displayed seems to be improving despite the debilitating effects of the pandemic on the arts and artists across Australia and the world.” He expressed thanks for the generosity of donors to the Foundation – “the lifeblood of our grants program.”

The 21 grants cover a wide range of artistic pursuits, including traditional and classical dance, contemporary and classical music, songwriting, theatrical prop making, filmmaking, painting, and musical theatre. Grantees hail from 14 suburbs across the Central Coast.

Following the presentation of grants, BFA Chairman Bell interviewed the American-Australian vocalist Hines on her more than four-decade career in Australia, beginning aged 16 in April 1970 with her debut in the Australian stage production of “Hair.” In dialogue with Bell, Hines offered valuable and inspirational career guidance from her own experience – including career and personal challenges - to the assembled young artists as they begin their careers in the Arts. Hines kindly donated tickets to her 22 December opening of “Velvet Rewired” at the Sydney Opera House as the much sought-after raffle prize at the well-attended event. Grant applications for 2023 will open in March/April of next year.