John Bell and the Bouddi Foundation for the Arts

John Bell

and the Bouddi Foundation for the Arts are dedicated to encouraging, mentoring and supporting the Central Coast’s next generation of young artists, actors, musicians, filmmakers and dancers.

WORDS CATHARINE RETTER

ARCHIBALD PRIZE 2017 FINALIST JORDAN RICHARDSON 'JOHN' © THE ARTIST. PHOTO: MIM STIRLING, AGNSW Jordan Richardson’s painting of John Bell was an Archibald Prize finalist.

You probably know John Bell as Australia’s foremost Shakespearean actor, co-founder of the Nimrod Theatre or founder and patron of the Bouddi Foundation for the Arts that has provided over $375,000 in scholarship grants across the arts to 186 young creative talents on the Central Coast.

But did you know that whenever his busy life allows, he’d prefer to be in a bushland hideaway on the Central Coast?

‘I came here on a weekend visit 22 years ago and walked around Putty Beach and to Lobster Beach and couldn’t believe how beautiful and peaceful it was. We bought the house in Wagstaffe when there were just old cottages and fishing shacks. You wouldn’t recognise it now but it hasn’t lost its charm.

‘We got involved in the community and with the Bouddi Society and that led to starting the Bouddi Foundation for the Arts in 2011. The Bouddi Society got right behind it so that we could raise more funds to support outstanding young creatives on the Coast, especially those just coming out of school. ‘Now we’ve widened the scope, partly because the long Covid lockdowns

© JACQUI DEAN PHOTOGRAPHY © JACQUI DEAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Dancer, Jack Williams Musical theatre, Lily Kennedy-Head

made it very difficult for artists starting out on a career. But we also realised, for example, if you’re singing opera, the voice doesn’t mature until you’re in your twenties. So, we’ve expanded the grants criteria from 15 years right through to the age of 30. We especially look out for Indigenous artists, or those who are less economically secure, or are disadvantaged socially and whose parents can’t just bankroll their creative choices.

‘All the judges for the creative grants are highly experienced in their field. But it’s not just about the money we provide, it’s the mentorship by people on the board and by our patrons. They have made some very personal links with our grantees.’

There have been any number of recipients with outstanding talent.

Peter Godwin, a very well-established painter, mentored Jordan Richardson, who was a young scholarship winner. Jordan went on to be an Archibald finalist four times while still in his twenties and has now become a mentor to our grantees. The film producer and director, David Elfick, has mentored the Foundation’s young film makers. Philip Mortlock and Philip Walker from Origin Music have given studio time and recording possibilities to emerging pop musicians. The renowned educator, Rowena Danzinger, is supporting a young woman art curator now working in Europe with various galleries.

‘We need people who want to be in it for the long haul, who are serious about making a career out of their creative talent. Surprisingly, we’ve only had three actors in the past 12 years but we do have a Shakespearean actor this year, which is very exciting for me of course.’

The young ambassadors, who have been grant recipients, go to schools to talk about the Foundation and the grants.

‘We’ve had outstanding students from the NAISDA Dance College and the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music who have now gone on to very successful careers.

‘We have also had quite a few grantees who are interested in film production, stage design, direction, prop designers, etc. who have gone on to work in movies and television. And I’m happy to say we have a talented local Indigenous film maker among the 2022 awardees.’

This year, an outstanding 21 young artists in traditional and classical dance, contemporary and classical music, song writing, theatrical prop-making, filmmaking, painting and musical theatre have been awarded a total of $57,600 in grants.

Applications for 2023 open in April. Apply online at

bouddiarts.org.au/applications

Adam Crouch, MP, singer Marcia Hines and John Bell with the 2022 Bouddi Foundation Award recipients.

2022 AWARD RECIPIENTS

Avoca Beach: Lily Kennedy-Head, musical theatre Avoca Beach: Oscar Manning, music producer Avoca Beach: Stella Hannagan, singer Blue Haven: Jacinta-Rose Burley, musical theatre Brooklyn: Kayla Lush, flautist Forresters Beach: Ryan Lee, cinematographer Kariong: Jack Williams, dancer Macmasters Beach: Gabrielle Paananen, puppetmaker Macmasters Beach: Thomas Mahler, sound production Narara: Abbey Toole, singer ‘Little Quirks’ Narara: Eliza Williams, dancer Phegans Bay: Zali Kassi, prop maker Point Claire: Andrew MacLarty, film Point Frederick: Lilia Jackson, arts curator Springfield: Kasey Barnes, musical theatre Springfield: Tansey Neaves, fine arts Terrigal: Imagen Georgia Hall, painter Terrigal: Kelly Griffith, singer Umina Beach: Max Lindhardt-Ward, actor Wamberal: Fletcher Pilon, singer Ella Powell, singer

PATRONS OF THE BOUDDI FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS:

John Bell Ben Quilty Bruce Beresford Melinda Schneider David Elfick Anna Volska Peter Godwin Jackie Weaver Tom Keneally Nigel Westlake Greig Pickhaver David Williamson