Carrillo Gantner
Encyclopedia
Carrillo Gantner AO is a highly respected Victorian cultural leader and philanthropist. He was born in San Francisco, California, in 1943, the son of Neilma Gantner with Villajo Gantner, and grand-son of Merlyn
and Sidney Myer
, founder of the Myer
retail chain. His most well known achievement lies in the area of founding theatres and theatre companies. He founded the Playhouse Theatre
in the 1970’s and more recently was the driving force for the Malthouse Theatre complex. He was president of the Myer Foundation
and is chairman of the Sidney Myer Fund, the Myer family’s two philanthropic arms.
Carrillo has been a Melbourne City councillor and has worked for the Australian Foreign Affairs Department as a cultural attaché.
Because of his long and distinguished career in the arts, arts administration and the theatre, Carrillo was appointed by the Victorian state government as President of the Victorian Arts Centre Trust from July 2000. He served three terms to 2009.
The government appointed him as Chairman of The Melbourne International Arts Festival
from January 2010. He was Chairman of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival
for six years to March 2000, Chair of the Performing Arts Board and a member of the Australia Council
1990-1993. He was a member of the Australian International Cultural Council (chaired by the Minister for Foreign Affairs) for three years until 2003. Until 2002 he served for three years as a member of the Cultural Network of the Australian National Commission for UNESCO
. He is also a member of the Trilateral Commission.
(AO) in June 2001 for service to the performing arts and for fostering cultural exchanges between Australia and Asia. In 2003, he received the inaugural Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Cultural Leader of the year Award. In 2007 Carrillo was named Victorian of the Year
in recognition of his cultural and philanthropic service to Victoria. In 2008 he was elected an Honorary Fellow of The Australian Academy of the Humanities
.
Merlyn Myer
Dame Margery Merlyn Baillieu Myer DBE , best known as Merlyn Myer, was an Australian philanthropist, who was knighted in recognition of her charitable work....
and Sidney Myer
Sidney Myer
Sidney Baevski Myer was a Russian Australian businessman and philanthropist, best known for creating Myer, Australia's largest chain of department stores.-Early life:...
, founder of the Myer
Myer
Myer is Australia's largest department store chain, retailing a broad range of merchandise including women's, men's and children's clothing, footwear and accessories; cosmetics and fragrance; homewares; electrical; furniture and bedding; toys; books and stationery; food and confectionery; and...
retail chain. His most well known achievement lies in the area of founding theatres and theatre companies. He founded the Playhouse Theatre
Playhouse Theatre
The Playhouse Theatre is a West End theatre in the City of Westminster, located in Northumberland Avenue, near Trafalgar Square. The Theatre was built by F. H. Fowler and Hill with a seating capacity of 1,200. It was rebuilt in 1907 and still retains its original substage machinery...
in the 1970’s and more recently was the driving force for the Malthouse Theatre complex. He was president of the Myer Foundation
Myer Foundation
The Myer Foundation is a major Australian philanthropic organisation.The Sidney Myer Charitable Trust was established by the will of Sidney Myer who died in 1934 leaving one tenth of his estate for the benefit of the community. Myer's will was proved at £922,000...
and is chairman of the Sidney Myer Fund, the Myer family’s two philanthropic arms.
Carrillo has been a Melbourne City councillor and has worked for the Australian Foreign Affairs Department as a cultural attaché.
Because of his long and distinguished career in the arts, arts administration and the theatre, Carrillo was appointed by the Victorian state government as President of the Victorian Arts Centre Trust from July 2000. He served three terms to 2009.
The government appointed him as Chairman of The Melbourne International Arts Festival
Melbourne International Arts Festival
Melbourne Festival is a celebration of dance, theatre, music, visual arts, multimedia, outdoor and free events held for 17 days each October in a number of venues across Melbourne, Australia.-History:...
from January 2010. He was Chairman of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is the third-largest international comedy festival in the world and the largest cultural event in Australia. Established in 1987, it takes place annually in Melbourne over four weeks in April typically opening on or around April Fool's Day...
for six years to March 2000, Chair of the Performing Arts Board and a member of the Australia Council
Australia Council
The Australia Council, informally known as the Australia Council for the Arts, is the official arts council or arts funding body of the Government of Australia.-Function:...
1990-1993. He was a member of the Australian International Cultural Council (chaired by the Minister for Foreign Affairs) for three years until 2003. Until 2002 he served for three years as a member of the Cultural Network of the Australian National Commission for UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
. He is also a member of the Trilateral Commission.
Honours
Carrillo was appointed an Officer in the Order of AustraliaOrder of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(AO) in June 2001 for service to the performing arts and for fostering cultural exchanges between Australia and Asia. In 2003, he received the inaugural Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Cultural Leader of the year Award. In 2007 Carrillo was named Victorian of the Year
Victorian of the Year
The Victorian of the Year is an award given to the most outstanding Victorian in any given year.This is not to be confused with the Victorian winner of the Australian of the Year awarded in Canberra by the Australia Day Council .The Victorian of the year is awarded in Melbourne by the Victoria Day...
in recognition of his cultural and philanthropic service to Victoria. In 2008 he was elected an Honorary Fellow of The Australian Academy of the Humanities
Australian Academy of the Humanities
The Australian Academy of the Humanities was established by Royal Charter in 1969 to advance scholarship and public interest in the humanities in Australia...
.