The Foundation

The Foundation

The Dame Malvina Major Foundation helps talented young performing artists to achieve their potential by providing financial assistance, performance opportunities and professional guidance, supporting them to prepare for professional careers.

We do this through a range of grants, prizes and scholarships, including artist development programmes with New Zealand Opera.

Dame Malvina established the Foundation in recognition of what she had been given as a young singer to allow her to follow her dream of becoming an opera star. Today her vision to “Share the Dream” continues to underpin everything the Foundation does to support young New Zealanders across the whole spectrum of the performing arts.

The original Trustees launched the Foundation in 1991 at Premier House in Wellington with the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon Jim Bolger and his wife Joan hosting the event. The response from the business community leaders, benefactors and practitioners of the performing arts who attended was enthusiastic and encouraging.

Dame Malvina engaged with her many friends and contacts throughout New Zealand to set up regional committees – from this, her phrase “from grassroots to excellence” was coined, defining what we want to achieve for young artists at a local level.

The purpose of the committees is to raise the profile of the Foundation with locally focused events including concerts where young talented artists have the opportunity to perform. The committees also award arts excellence awards to assist young artists to achieve their dreams. The Foundation now has committees in Auckland/Waikato, Christchurch, Taranaki and Wellington, all run by local volunteers.

While the Foundation does not receive any government funding, as a charitable trust, we aim to achieve Dame Malvina’s vision through a variety of sources including concerts, fundraising, bequests, donations, and partnerships with individuals and organisations.

With Trustees representing an excellent balance of commercial and artistic experience, our vision is to maintain a sustainable Foundation that will outlive all of us and continue long into the future the dreams and aspirations of Dame Malvina Major.

The Dame Malvina Major Foundation is a registered charity, Charities Services No. CC10225. For charity details, including purpose, structure and annual returns, visit the Charities Register.

Subscribe

* indicates required
Please let me know about upcoming DMMF events in the following regions: