Rio Tinto Renews Black Swan State Theatre Sponsorship for 2018 - 2019

BLACK SWAN celebrates its 20 year partnership with Rio Tinto and welcomes the renewal of Rio Tinto as our Principal Partner for 2018 - 2019

In 2017, BLACK SWAN celebrates 26 years of producing world class theatre for Western Australian audiences. For 20 of those years Rio Tinto has been by our side. The partnership began in September 1998 with a vision to bring WA's predominantly Perth focused arts industry to the Pilbara, and since then, Rio Tinto has increased their support at critical points in the BLACK SWAN's development.

The partnership has seen BLACK SWAN travel across the state, develop new audiences, and initiate a ticket subsidy scheme. It has also commissioned new Western Australian stories by Australia's leading playwrights and supported the company to deliver programmes for students and regional communities, and develop artists.

BLACK SWAN chair Mark Barnaba said "We are delighted that Rio Tinto have renewed as BLACK SWAN's Principal Partner until 2019. The partnership has been unquestionably central to BLACK SWAN's growth and achievements over the last twenty years, which has seen an investment of over $3.2M to the company."

"We are excited that over the next partnership term there will be an increased focus on telling local stories and sharing a rich range of Aboriginal voices, faces and perspectives. We will also return to where it all began - working together to take theatre to regional WA. This direction is in alignment with Artistic Director's Clare Watson's exciting vision for the company."

Mr Barnaba added "It is rare in arts and business for such a long-term partnership to exist and so we value, celebrate and offer our deepest gratitude to Rio Tinto for their commitment to BLACK SWAN".

Rio Tinto's Managing Director of Planning Integration and Assets, Kellie Parker said "We are proud to continue our principal partnership of BLACK SWAN and enhance the vibrancy of West Australian communities, heritage and artistic diversity in the performing arts."

"BLACK SWAN is to be congratulated on the upcoming launch of their 2018 programme, and we look forward to working with the Company to develop new regional initiatives that will increase arts opportunities to audiences across the state."

The next two years of the BLACK SWAN Rio Tinto partnership will focus on five key elements:

1. Theatre Productions in Perth: world class theatre the State Theatre Centre of WA.
2. Rio Tinto WA Stories: bringing local stories to life on our stages.
3. Regional Engagement Program: providing communities throughout WA with high quality theatre experiences.
4. A Rich Range of Aboriginal Voices: theatre that joyfully celebrates the knowledge, power and shows respect to Aboriginal people and culture.
5. Participatory live art community experiences: to engage families and encourage intergenerational play.

BLACK SWAN State Theatre Company will launch its 2018 season in the State Theatre Centre's Heath Ledger Theatre on Monday 28 August.

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