The Minderoo Centre for Performance Excellence
Edith Cowan University (ECU) is building on its new foundations for the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), with major performance spaces at ECU City formally named in recognition of transformative donor support.
A $30 million philanthropic partnership led by Minderoo Foundation underpins WAAPA's future in the Perth CBD. The gift anchors the newly named Minderoo Centre for Performance Excellence, a collection of eight performance venues spread across four levels of the ECU City Campus.
The Minderoo Centre brings together venues of varying scale and purpose. From intimate studios to full orchestral stages, the design reflects the breadth of WAAPA's training and performance program. Several venues have already been named, with each telling a personal story.
A transformational contribution
The McCusker Recital Hall serves as the flagship space for classical performance. It can host up to 368 audience members and accommodate full orchestras of up to 70 performers. The hall honours the McCusker Charitable Foundation and family, whose support of ECU and WAAPA spans nearly two decades.
Their contribution has been described as transformational for the future of the Academy.
At its heart sits a Fazioli piano, gifted by the family in 2014, and which now takes pride of place on centre stage.
A gift shaped by memory and love of the arts
Nearby, the Paula Huston Auditorium offers a different experience. The auditorium mirrors the footprint of the Recital Hall stage but shifts easily between rehearsal and public performance.
The venue is named after Paula Jeanne Huston, whose bequest will support WAAPA students for years to come.
Ms Huston grew up in Mount Lawley. As a child, she would walk from her home to attend performances at WAAPA. That early connection stayed with her.
Before her death in November 2025, she committed her entire estate, along with a living gift, to fund international opportunities for emerging artists.
Those who worked with her say her focus was clear: give young performers a chance to step onto a global stage.
Honouring a lifelong advocate for students
The Derksen Studio recognises another kind of contribution; one built over a lifetime.
Named after Lesley Joy Derksen, the studio reflects her deep connection to teaching, theatre and student development. A teaching graduate and WAAPA supporter for many years, she was a familiar presence across performances and rehearsals.
Those who knew her recall a constant curiosity. She wanted to understand every part of the creative process, from lighting design to costume making.
She took particular interest in backstage and production students. In her words, they were the "unsung heroes" of every show.
Her bequest will fund scholarships, prizes and fellowships across sound production, Aboriginal performance and children's literature.
Crafting a legacy
Several performance spaces within the Minderoo Centre remain open for recognition, including the Playhouse Theatre, Flexible Theatre, SoundHouse, Dance Theatre and Aboriginal Performance Studio.
These future names will matter greatly, shaping how the broader community connects with the building. Together, these spaces will host the next generation of artists and stand as a public invitation to audiences across Western Australia.
More than a ceremonial gesture, the naming of these venues reflects a broader shift in how major arts institutions are funded and sustained.
Private giving now sits at the heart of large-scale cultural projects. At ECU City, it has accelerated delivery and enabled a more ambitious vision.
For students, the impact is immediate: access to purpose-built spaces in the heart of Perth. For audiences, it means more performances, greater variety, and easier access.
For donors, it offers a lasting legacy, a presence in every performance, every rehearsal, every first step onto a stage.
Venue gallery
To be involved in the legacy built by our donors, visit https://giving.ecu.edu.au
