Some of Australia’s biggest live entertainment and sports businesses have formed the Live Entertainment Industry Forum to ensure fans can safely return to live events as COVID-19 restrictions relax.

The venerated Sydney arts patron has died at the age of 84.

Aviva Endean will join with ensemble The Cloud Maker in November, while composer Wally Gunn and librettist Maria Zajkowski will collaborate at UKARIA in December.

Actor/director Robyn Nevin, Australian Ballet ED Libby Christie, choreographer Lucy Guerin, theatre producer Christine Dunstan, philanthropist Simon Mordant and artist Vincent Namatjira are among those recognised.

In the composer's 250th anniversary year, ABC Classic will count down his top 100 works as voted on by audiences.

Australian producer and former dancer Olivia Ansell will take up the position in November and present her first festival in January 2022.

The artist known for his massive but ephemeral works has died at 84.

The professional development program undertaken with Sydney Dance Company will position Goh for a future leadership role in the arts industry.

Alison Milyika Carroll, Djon Mundine, Thea Anamara Perkins, and Maree Clarke were among those honoured in a ceremony streamed from the Sydney Opera House.

The CSO has announced that Cottis will be Artistic Advisor from 2021, supported by Simon Hewett as Principal Guest Conductor and Artistic Planning Manager Andy Baird.

The successful streaming initiative which has helped sustain local artists during the COVID-19 crisis will now invite patrons to selected performances.

The announcement, which will provide welcome relief for many in an industry devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has been overshadowed by accusations of “pork-barrelling”.