Edith Cowan University (ECU) and the Minderoo Foundation have announced a $30 million, 25-year partnership, marking Australia’s largest-ever philanthropic contribution to the performing arts.

The investment will boost the reputation, profile and sustainability of ECU’s Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) with a new ECU City campus in Perth’s CBD set to open in 2026. Once operational, the ECU City campus will host over 300 public performances annually in its state-of-the-art theatres, positioning Perth as a cultural beacon for Western Australia and beyond.

Computer rendering of ECU’s proposed Playhouse Theatre. Image supplied

WAAPA’s new home in ECU City will be a high-tech marvel, fitted with world-class acoustics, “box-in-box” engineering, and advanced AV technology to create a premier training environment. The academy will feature specialised venues, including a Recital Hall, Playhouse Theatre, Dance Theatre, Jazz and Contemporary Music Studio, Flex Theatre and Aboriginal Theatre.

Minderoo Foundation will also fund a Premier Visiting Artists Fund, an initiative designed to bring internationally recognised artists to WAAPA to enhance the academy’s training programs through artist residencies, workshops and live performances accessible to the wider community.

The launch of ECU City will also dovetail with other high-profile...