Mr Gantner was awarded an AC for ‘‘eminent service to the community through professional involvement in, and philanthropic support for, the performing and visual arts, and to Australia-Asia cultural exchange’’.
The Sidney Myer Fund chairman has donated his extensive collection of indigenous art to the new SAM, construction of which is due to begin later this year.
The new $34.5million facility, to be built at Victoria Park Lake, has been funded jointly by Greater Shepparton City Council, Victorian and federal governments and private donations through the SAM Foundation.
Along with his large collection of indigenous artwork, Mr Gantner has also made significant monetary contributions to the SAM Foundation which is responsible for raising philanthropic donations for the project.
Mr Gantner was born in San Francisco, California, the son of Neilma Gantner with Vallejo Gantner, and grandson of Merlyn Myer and Sidney Myer, founder of the Myer retail chain.
He has worked as an actor and director and has brought theatre companies from China and Japan to tour Australia. His long list of contributions to the cultural life of Victoria include the founding of Melbourne’s Playbox Theatre in 1976, and helping establish the Malthouse Theatre in 1990.
Mr Gantner was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2001 for services to the performing arts and Australia’s cultural exchange with Asia.
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