Genton shares our congratulations with The Powerhouse, which today announced an extraordinary $30 million investment in the future of Powerhouse Parramatta by The Walker Family Foundation and Western Sydney University.
In one of the largest donations ever to an Australian cultural institution, The Walker Family Foundation has committed $20 million to the Lang Walker Family Academy and associated programs, an imbursement that will fund access to world-class immersive STEM education experiences at the museum for over 10,000 high school students from Western Sydney and regional NSW every year – including overnight stays at the museum for many of these students.
“There are hundreds of thousands of Western Sydney and regional students who don’t receive the same exposure to arts and education programs that young people in other areas do. The Lang Walker Family Academy will deliver experiences for these young people that will not only spark their creativity but pave the way to genuine STEM careers in the future,” says Powerhouse Chief Executive Lisa Havilah.
“Western Sydney University has been a close partner of the Powerhouse for many years. This generous partnership will see Western Sydney University have a home at Powerhouse Parramatta, creating collaborative ties with research, industry placements and programming as the Foundation University Partner for the museum.”
The Lang Walker Family Academy programs will commence in 2022 in Western Sydney with in-school STEM education programming being planned for schools in the Blacktown, Campbelltown, Liverpool, Bankstown, Penrith and Parramatta LGAs.
Western Sydney University has committed $10 million to Powerhouse Parramatta, confirming its place as the museum’s Foundation University Partner. This significant investment reinforces the University’s ongoing commitment to developing the next generation of Australian innovators, scientists and entrepreneurs. The University will embed researchers in the museum including an annual Scholar in Residence, be a supporting partner for the Lang Walker Family Academy and utilise museum spaces for STEM-related education opportunities.
The Walker Family and Western Sydney University will be the Foundation Partners of Powerhouse Parramatta, with their generous investment marking an important milestone in the Powerhouse’s campaign to raise $75 million towards Powerhouse Parramatta.
Continue reading about Powerhouse Parramatta, a design collaboration of Moreau Kusunoki and Genton,
via the Powerhouse Parramatta project profile.
We are proud to acknowledge the Darug people, the Traditional Custodians of the Country in which Powerhouse Parramatta is located. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.
