The Lysicrates Foundation Limited

The Lysicrates Foundation Limited is an Australian nonprofit organization committed to promoting the performing and visual arts within Australia. It operates as a public company limited by guarantee and serves as the trustee of a public fund known as The Lysicrates Cultural Fund[1][3][4].

Purpose and Activities

The foundation's primary focus is supporting and celebrating Australian arts, particularly through initiatives such as the Lysicrates Prize, an annual playwriting competition. This competition highlights and rewards excellence in Australian playwriting for children, with the unique feature that children themselves vote for the winning play. One notable recipient is Joseph Brown, who won the Lysicrates commission valued at $12,000 for his play Nothing Scares Us Any More, along with dramaturgical support to prepare the play for performance[1].

Beneficiaries

The Lysicrates Foundation’s charitable activities benefit a diverse demographic, including adults aged 25 and older, children aged 6 to under 15, as well as the general Australian community. Its reach encompasses both genders and spans multiple age groups, reflecting its broad cultural impact[2].

Governance and Compliance

Registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), the foundation maintains compliance with Australian charitable regulations. Its Australian Business Number (ABN) is 19605412422. Although no annual reports are publicly available on its website, the organization remains current with its reporting obligations as per the ACNC records[4][5].

Contributions to Australian Arts

By funding and fostering cultural projects such as playwriting commissions and theatrical performances, The Lysicrates Foundation plays an important role in nurturing Australian artistic talent and enriching the country’s cultural landscape. Its work helps bring new Australian stories to audiences, especially focusing on children’s theatre, thus supporting the growth and development of the next generation of artists and audiences[1][3].

This summary reflects the foundation’s mission and activities based on publicly available information as of 2025.

[1] https://lysicratesfoundation.org.au [2] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/31375163-3aaf-e811-a962-000d3ad24a0d [3] https://www.mup.com.au/authors/the-lysicrates-foundation [4] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/31375163-3aaf-e811-a962-000d3ad24a0d/documents/6e850e3a-ae7c-ec11-8d20-00224892206f [5] https://www.changepath.com.au/the-lysicrates-foundation-limited