Penny Dakin, Chancellor Gaye McMath, Andrew Forrest AO, Professor Clare Pollock and Professor David Shirley at the new Centre.
The name recognises the significance of the University's transformational $30 million philanthropic partnership with Minderoo Foundation.
Located at the Roe Street entrance to ECU City, the Minderoo Centre for Performance Excellence will become the new home for WAAPA as Perth's newest inner-city performing arts centre.
"The Minderoo Centre for Performance Excellence is an initiative designed to enhance the excellence, internationalisation, and sustainability of WAAPA," ECU Vice-Chancellor Professor Clare Pollock said.
The naming follows the announcement of the landmark 25-year agreement - the largest private donation to the performing arts in Australian history and one of the most significant philanthropic contributions to an Australian university. The partnership supports the specialist fit-out of WAAPA's eight public performance venues, as well as the establishment of the Premier Visiting Artist Fund, an endowed fund helping WAAPA deliver world-class training and enhancing its long-term strategic programming for decades to come.
The new signage at ECU City.
"Art has the power to transform the world, and Minderoo Foundation is proud to champion the next generation of visionary WAAPA artists at this world leading facility. It will be a place where bold ideas, movements, and inspiration take root and blossom," Dr Andrew Forrest AO said.
"My hope is that the Minderoo Centre for Performance Excellence becomes a global beacon of creativity, learning, and connection – a space that unites and brings out the very best in all of us."
Andrew Forrest with Professor Clare Pollock at ECU City.
The partnership with Minderoo Foundation builds on the significant $853 million investment in ECU City made between the Australian Government, the Western Australian Government and ECU through the Perth City Deal, amplifying the activation and vibrancy it will bring to Perth for the benefit of all Western Australians.
"This is a gift to the community of Perth and to the artists who make our city and our state a vibrant and thriving place to live," said Nicola Forrest AO.
"It will help bring Edith Cowan University's vision to life and secure WAAPA's standing among the world's leading performing arts institutions.
"I am looking forward to generations of performers refining their talents and creativity and using the transformative power of the arts to inspire, connect and uplift our communities."
With ECU City opening in semester one of 2026, more than 300 public performances a year will be added to Perth's expanding arts calendar.
ECU Vice-Chancellor Professor Clare Pollock said the naming recognised the generosity and vision of Minderoo Foundation, whose support will have a lasting impact on the future of WAAPA and the creative arts landscape.
"We're honoured to name this Centre in recognition of Minderoo Foundation's extraordinary commitment to students and to the future success of performing arts in Western Australia," Professor Pollock said.
"The Minderoo Centre for Performance Excellence will set a new benchmark for arts training in Australia and create powerful opportunities for our students to learn, perform and collaborate with internationally recognised artists and performers."
The Minderoo Centre for Performance Excellence will include six public performance venues and two performance-capable rehearsal spaces, featuring cutting-edge acoustics, engineering and technology inspired by the world's best theatres.
"Minderoo is proud to back ECU and WAAPA in creating world-class performing arts facilities in the heart of Perth," Minderoo Foundation CEO John Hartman said.
"The Minderoo Centre for Performance Excellence will be a globally significant place for the pursuit of artistic excellence. It represents a long-term investment in talent, creativity and connection.
"Minderoo's support reflects our strong belief that the arts play a vital role in creating vibrant and connected communities. They bring people together, challenge our ways of thinking and inspire the next generation. Minderoo is proud to play a role in bringing this vision to life."
The agreement also establishes the Premier Visiting Artists Fund, which will bring leading international performers and educators to Perth for artist residencies, immersive student training and public engagement.
"This is a bold and future-focused investment that ensures WAAPA remains at the forefront of performing arts education globally," Professor Pollock added.
"We are deeply grateful to Minderoo Foundation for its support in realising this ambitious vision and for backing Western Australia's creative future."
The naming of the Minderoo Centre for Performance Excellence signals a new chapter in WAAPA's history, with students, staff, audiences and the arts sector set to benefit from the enduring legacy of this transformational gift.
