FROM THE CHAIR
I
write this at the start of Milk Crate Theatre’s 21st year. Our 20th birthday in 2020 was not quite what we had planned or anticipated. As you probably know, our mission is to provide opportunities for people whose voices are under-represented to engage in artistic practice to build confidence, skills and connection. Our work builds empathy and breaks down barriers. It brings audiences to the community and our community to an audience. It brings people closer. 2020 challenged that. The impact of “social distancing” was felt particularly hard by our community. It created barriers to programs that are deeply human and based on artistic collaboration. I am proud of the work the team did to break down many of those walls. They delivered an outstanding artistic program, which created real engagement and impact. They innovated, adapted and used technology to elevate what Milk Crate Theatre does and the way it is done. They made 2020 a year to be proud of, rather than one to forget. Special acknowledgement goes to our fabulous CEO, Jodie Wainwright, and Artistic Director, Margot Politis, for guiding the management team - and our broader Milk Crate community – so fearlessly through the period. I am grateful for the flexibility, generosity
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Milk Crate Theatre
and collaboration of our people and community. Thank you also to my fellow directors and our Artistic Advocates for their genuine care, valued advice and unstinting support. A reflection on a year like 2020 must particularly acknowledge those who funded us. Among those, thank you to Create NSW, City of Sydney, Australia Council for the Arts, Office of the Arts, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, Parramatta Council, Sally White and the White Family, Matana Foundation for Young People, Robertson Foundation, James N Kirby Foundation, St.George Foundation, Westpac Foundation, Macquarie Bank Foundation, Community Sector Banking Foundation, ATC Foundation, Mirvac, Edward C Dunn and our many other donors. We are so appreciative of your strong (and growing!) support, as well as your faith and belief in our community and the value of our work as part of Sydney's cultural landscape. We hope to do you proud and earn your continuing support. While Milk Create Theatre could not have the 20th birthday it deserved last year, I anticipate 2021 will be a great 21st birthday celebration.
MICHAEL SIRMAI
