Bundanon Trust

Arthur and Yvonne Boyd's gift of the Bundanon properties and collections has given Australia a unique cultural and environmental asset. The gift was borne out of Arthur Boyd's often stated belief that 'you can't own a landscape' and the deeply felt wish that others might also draw inspiration from Bundanon. Gifted to the Australian people in 1993 by Arthur and Yvonne Boyd the Bundanon property (which includes the Bundanon Homestead site and the Riversdale site) is located on 1,100 hectares of pristine bush land overlooking the Shoalhaven River, near Nowra in New South Wales, two and a half hours south of Sydney. The Australian Government established Bundanon Trust as a wholly owned Australian Government company limited by guarantee, with the Company holding the gift as a charitable trust. The Trust’s Board of Directors reports directly to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, who in turn appoints the Chairperson and the Directors.

CULTURAL PROGRAM

In addition to caring for a collection of more than 4,000 artworks and objects the Trust supports the development of arts practice across all disciplines through its artist in residence program. Bundanon operates a residential education program for children and adults and presents a dynamic, on-site, public program, including concerts and special events, open days and group visits, allowing thousands of people to experience Bundanon every year. Bundanon Trust is custodian of the Boyd family art collection, the historic Bundanon Homestead and Arthur Boyd’s studio. Adjacent to the Homestead is Bundanon’s artist in residence accommodation. Four individual units; one two bedroom and one three bedroom cottage accommodate artists of all disciplines from around the world, all year round. The art collection and study centre are located on the Homestead site along with Bundanon’s breeding herd of Brangus cattle. The Homestead is open to the public every Sunday.

The award winning Arthur and Yvonne Boyd Education Centre, designed by Glenn Murcutt, Wendy Lewin and Reg Lark, is located on Bundanon’s Riversdale site. The centre provides residential accommodation for groups of school children, who participate in workshops provided by Bundanon’s specialist art educators. The centre is also used by performing and other arts companies, tertiary institutions and commercial and community organisations. The Boyd Education Centre provides facilities, and a spectacular setting, for indoor concerts and outdoor events. The Mordant Family Library is also at Riversdale.

FUNDING

Bundanon Trust has been supported by the Australian Government since 1993. Funding of $6 million for four years, from 2007 to 2011, was announced in January 2006. The Trust is also supported by the Australia Council for the Arts; the Macquarie Group Foundation; the Pratt Foundation and a range of other public and private sources. Bundanon Trust is listed on the Register of Cultural Organisations and all donations of $2 or more qualify for a tax deduction.

 

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