The Australian String Quartet (ASQ) has launched a $15 million endowment aimed at strengthening its long-term financial sustainability. Announced as it undertakes its Voyager tour, the ASQ’s Future Fund has already hit $4.725m – almost a third of its goal.

The Australian String Quartet performing at UKARIA. Photo © Tony Way

The Wright Burt Foundation, a private ancillary fund that has been supporting the ASQ for more than a decade, is the Fund’s Lead Donor with a contribution of $4m.

“The ASQ has already demonstrated it can endure, being more than 40 years old and stronger than ever,” said a spokesperson for the Wright Burt Foundation.

“The creation of the ASQ Future Fund comes at a perfect time, the organisation is primed to take on the responsibility and expectation that an endowment generates and they have more than earned our support.”

The additional $725,000 has been contributed by gifts and pledges from Kerrell and David Morris, the Richard Cavill Foundation, the Ian Wallace Giving Fund, Diane Craddock, some current and former members of the ASQ and others.

The Fund aims to “sustain artistic excellence, champion Australian creativity, connect communities through music and futureproof string quartet music” into the ASQ’s future.

Australian String Quartet. Photo supplied

The ASQ has been supported with a mix of government funding, private donations and box office revenue for its year-on-year activities; the Fund provides a more “long-term anchor” for the ensemble, which announced its 2027 season in September.

“Every generation before us has worked hard to keep the ASQ going, year after year,” said The Australian String Quartet Chair, Sheena Boughen.

“What the ASQ Future Fund gives us is something new, the freedom to dream even bigger.”

More about the Australian String Quartet’s Future Fund can be found here.