Annual Report Sydney Opera House Financial Year 2019-20 2019-20 03 The Sydney Opera House stands on Tubowgule, Gadigal country. We acknowledge the Gadigal, the traditional custodians of this place, also known as Bennelong Point. First Nations readers are advised that this document may contain the names and images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are now deceased. Sydney Opera House. Photo by Hamilton Lund. Front Cover: A single ghost light in the Joan Sutherland Theatre during closure (see page 52). Photo by Daniel Boud. Contents 05 About Us Financials & Reporting Who We Are 08 Our History 12 Financial Overview 100 Vision, Mission and Values 14 Financial Statements 104 Year at a Glance 16 Appendix 160 Message from the Chairman 18 Message from the CEO 20 2019-2020: Context 22 Awards 27 Acknowledgements & Contacts The Year’s Our Partners 190 Activity Our Donors 191 Contact Information 204 Trade Marks 206 Experiences 30 Index 208 Performing Arts 33 Precinct Experiences 55 The Building 60 Renewal 61 Operations & Maintenance 63 Security 64 Heritage 65 People 66 Team and Capability 67 Supporters 73 Inspiring Positive Change 76 Reconciliation Action Plan 78 Sustainability 80 Access 81 Business Excellence 82 Organisation Chart 86 Executive Team 87 Corporate Governance 90 Joan Sutherland Theatre foyers during closure. Photo by Daniel Boud. About Us 07 Sydney Opera House. Photo by by Daria Shevtsova. by by Photo Opera House. Sydney About Us 09 Who We Are The Sydney Opera House occupies The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the value of the Opera House’s online presence and programming a unique place in the cultural to our artists and communities, and increased the “It stands by landscape. Synonymous with potential for future engagement with new audiences as people from Australia and around the globe connect inspiration and imagination, with our digital content. itself as one of it is a globally recognised icon, The Opera House is operated and maintained on behalf one of the architectural wonders of the NSW Government and the people of NSW by the Sydney Opera House Trust. It is a not-for-profit public the indisputable of the 20th century and among non-financial corporate entity that usually generates the world’s busiest performing approximately 90% of its operating revenue. However, that reduced to 83% this year, due to the impacts masterpieces of arts centres. of COVID-19. The NSW Government provides the remainder of operating revenue and also funding for Bennelong Point, the land on which the Opera House building maintenance and capital projects. human creativity, stands, was known to the local Gadigal people For almost 50 years, the Opera House has promoted as Tubowgule. It has been a gathering place for creativity, diversity, environmental sustainability, not only in the storytelling, feasting, culture and celebration for cultural rights and respect for heritage, on and off its many generations. stages. As Australia’s leading cultural institution, we Architects Jørn Utzon and Peter Hall, and teams of have a critical role to play. In October 2020, the Opera 20th century but engineers, designers, builders and other collaborators House announced its commitment to nine of the 17 created an inspirational building that honours this United Nations Global Goals, including education, heritage. It is home to a diverse range of performances equality and sustainability. While the goals can be in the history of and experiences for the community and a meeting achieved only through coordinated global action, we place for matters of local, national and international are committed to doing all we can to inspire and bring significance. about change, together with the community. humankind.” The celebrated work of our eight flagship resident While Opera House venues have been closed to the companies is complemented by an unmissable program public due to the coronavirus pandemic, work has UNESCO 2007 from Sydney Opera House Presents that ranges from continued on the decade of renewal capital works contemporary music and performance to classical projects, largely funded by the NSW Government, music and dance, theatre for children, talks and ideas including a significant upgrade of the Concert Hall and events, digital programming, and First Nations art the new Creative Learning Centre. and performance. Other visitors come to explore the We will continue to inspire and connect with audiences building and its history, enjoy the broad range of dining online while supporting the arts community, and are experiences or attend free events. preparing to safely welcome visitors back to this iconic landmark and its unique experiences in late 2020. Sydney Opera House. Photo by Daniel Boud. About Us 11 The Hon Don Harwin MLC Minister for the Arts We have the pleasure of presenting the Annual Report of the Sydney Opera House for the year ended 30 June 2020 for presentation to Parliament. This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Annual Reports (Statutory Bodies) Act 1984 and the Public Audit and Finance Act 1983. Nicholas Moore Chairman Louise Herron AM Sydney Opera House. Photo by Daniel Boud. Chief Executive Officer About Us 13 2017 Nov 2019 Renewal of the The Opera House announces its commitment to the Our History Joan Sutherland Global Goals and releases its fifth Reconciliation Theatre begins, Action Plan, fourth Environmental Action Plan and with $70 million fifth Accessibility Action Plan. Dancers from the 1999 2007 worth of capital Jannawi Dance Clan fly the Aboriginal and Torres works to replace Strait Islander flags atop the iconic sails at sunrise in Jørn Utzon re-engaged First Access Strategic Plan launched theatre systems and the lead-up to Dance Rites 2019 as design consultant to UNESCO World-Heritage listing: improve conditions the Opera House the Opera House is the youngest for audiences, artists site to be listed and one of only two and staff; Badu Gili is sites listed during the lifetime of its launched, projecting architect the work of eminent First Nations artists 1957 2012 on to the Bennelong Jørn Utzon The Opera House creates sails wins Opera the dedicated role of House design Head of Indigenous competition Programming and appoints 2018 Jan 2020 Rhoda Roberts AO Major upgrades The Opera House sails are lit with images 2002 to the Joan of firefighters and everyday Australians as Utzon Design Sutherland a message of hope during Australia’s “Black 1966 Principles published Theatre are Summer” bushfires 2008 completed on Jørn Utzon time and on resigns First Vivid Live festival budget; the 2013 Feb 2020 2005 Opera House The Opera House celebrates its Upgrades begin on the Concert Hall to National 2009 celebrates its 40th 45th anniversary; modernise the Opera House’s largest and Heritage listing Western Foyers anniversary; planning the Opera House most popular venue as part of Stage 1 refurbished for the Decade of participates in the Renewal works Renewal begins; the Sydney Gay and by-invitation group Lesbian Mardi of supporters the Gras Parade for Idealists is formed the first time 1970 2005 2010 2020 1973 2016 Opening The Vehicle Access ceremony and and Pedestrian 1959 concert with Safety project is Work begins on Stage 1 HM Queen completed Apr 2020 of the Opera House Elizabeth II and 2019 2011 (the foundations) HRH the Duke The Yallamundi Rooms function The new From Our House of Edinburgh First 2015 and events centre opens; a new lift to Yours digital program Reconciliation launches to connect, 2006 improves accessibility to the Joan Action Plan The Welcome Centre Sutherland Northern Foyer; John inspire and entertain Asian-language developed; opens; the NSW Coburn’s tapestries are re-hung in audiences worldwide tours begin in Vehicle Access Government reserves their original venues for the first Mandarin, Japanese and Pedestrian $202m for Stage 1 Renewal time in a decade; the Opera House and Korean Safety project projects; the self-funded becomes carbon-neutral Mar 2020 begins stage machinery upgrade for Joan Sutherland In accordance with the Theatre is announced. public health measures 1954 Dance Rites, a national implemented to control the 2010 spread of COVID-19, the The Hon JJ Cahill, Premier of First Nations dance Opera House closes to the NSW, convenes a conference First Environmental competition, was launched public for the first time since to discuss the establishment Sustainability Plan on the Opera House opening of an opera house in Sydney launched Western Broadwalk About Us 15 Our Vision, Mission & Values Our Vision Our Values To be as bold and inspiring as the Opera House itself. Safety Our greatest responsibility Our Mission To treasure and renew the Creativity Opera House for future Be bold and innovative generations of artists, Excellence audiences and visitors; and Strive for the best to inspire, and strengthen the community, through Collaboration everything we do. One team Accountability Focus and own it Solange performing in the Concert Hall, January 2020. Photo by Daniel Boud. About Us 17 Year at a glance 2019-20 From Our House to Yours digital program Views and listens of programming and content 3.4m Minutes viewed 9.7m 1m Audience attendance at Videos and podcasts 88 performing arts events 284,000 579,000 381,000 2.6m 7.9 m 1.7m Attendance at Sydney Opera House Attendance at resident Attendance at Sydney Social media followers Website visits (unique) Hours of Opera House video Presents performances companies performances Opera House Tours content consumed globally 1,473