Ruth Rentschler completes ADT board tenure with landmark gift

News of a record-breaking bequest is sending ripples of excitement through the dance community, as Professor Ruth Rentschler OAM MAICD has pledged a $500,000 gift to AUSTRALIAN DANCE THEATRE. For the world of dance, donations of this magnitude are not just headlines—they’re game-changers, carrying the power to strengthen an organisation’s creative mission for generations. In this instance, the donation marks the largest in ADT’s history, commemorating Ruth Rentschler’s eight-year tenure on the board, including her most recent role as Chair. The timing couldn’t be more significant: as the company prepares to celebrate 60 years of groundbreaking work in 2025, it now has a robust new support system to fuel its evolution.

Why does this matter so much? Well, major arts institutions across Australia often rely on funding that ebbs and flows according to government budgets, sponsorship arrangements, and shifting philanthropic trends. A significant bequest cuts through that uncertainty, guaranteeing that an organisation can dream bigger, push boundaries, and continue to produce bold, innovative works. Given ADT’s reputation for presenting dance that challenges the status quo, from repertoire expansions under their current Artistic Director Daniel Riley to their community outreach programmes, this support promises to propel the company to an even more exciting future.

Professor Ruth Rentschler’s Passion for the Arts

Anyone involved in the arts sector in South Australia is likely to recognise the name Professor Ruth Rentschler. Her contributions to the broader arts landscape extend far beyond dance—she’s an award-winning academic at the University of South Australia’s business school, a champion of arts organisations, and a keen advocate for making culture accessible to all. Serving on the ADT Board for eight years, she brought a wealth of knowledge from her previous roles in management and governance, not to mention a personal enthusiasm for creativity and innovation.

In her own words, Ruth describes her board involvement with ADT as an honour: “The company is important to Australia’s dance ecology, and I’m thrilled to have played a part in its success.” Her commitment is evident not only from her willingness to steer the organisation through complex transitions but also from this unprecedented bequest, ensuring her legacy with ADT carries on long after her official board tenure has ended. The scale of her gift signals a deep confidence in the organisation’s future—particularly in its strategic focus on social impact, collaborative creativity, and the ongoing development of new dance works.

A Transformative Tenure on the Board

Within the span of Ruth Rentschler’s board membership, ADT has witnessed considerable transformation. Perhaps the most notable change was the appointment of Daniel Riley as Artistic Director. Bringing his own fresh perspective and creative insight, Daniel Riley has led the company into new territory. Under his artistic leadership, ADT widened its repertoire to embrace contemporary works that emphasise care and collective creativity. This shift not only diversified the kinds of performances audiences see on stage but also reflected a broader trend in the dance world—recognising dance as a medium that can, and should, address social issues.

During Ruth’s time as Chair, the company recalibrated its strategic priorities to align with a more inclusive, community-driven vision of dance. ADT began pursuing projects that spark conversation around social justice and cultural identity, positioning itself as a vital hub for collaborative creation. Throughout this process, Ruth’s extensive background in arts and management proved instrumental. She is credited with helping to ensure that the company struck the right balance between artistic daring and financial sustainability—an essential formula in the non-profit arts sector. In short, her tenure helped knit together all the pieces of a modern dance organisation, from forging new partnerships to championing the day-to-day needs of dancers and choreographers.

The Importance of a Gift That Endures

One of the most compelling aspects of this announcement is that Ruth’s gift comes in the form of a bequest. In practical terms, this means she’s made a commitment in her estate planning that a substantial sum—$500,000—will be directed to ADT in the future. Bequests are significant for the arts world: unlike one-off donations or project-based grants, they offer long-term stability, which allows an organisation to plan for bigger, more adventurous projects. The knowledge that half a million dollars will eventually flow into ADT’s coffers provides a crucial assurance that the company’s mission and dreams will remain alive and kicking, even decades from now.

Nick Hays, ADT’s Executive Director, sums up the sentiment perfectly:

To have her support the company in perpetuity with her bequest is extraordinary and illustrates her commitment to seeing our company, and the arts in this country, flourish.

This endorsement from within the organisation affirms how transformative such a donation can be—both as a practical resource and as a morale-booster. When stakeholders and artists see that a respected figure like Ruth is prepared to back ADT so fully, it sends a powerful message about the value and resilience of dance as an art form.

Australian Dance Theatre at a Crossroads

For many non-profit cultural bodies, the period around a major anniversary can be both celebratory and reflective. ADT is fast approaching its 60th anniversary in 2025, and the company already has a strong track record of touring internationally, collaborating with leading choreographers, and commissioning new works that challenge audiences intellectually and emotionally. However, reaching a milestone anniversary often prompts an organisation to look not just at what it has achieved, but where it might go next.

From its early days in Adelaide, ADT has grown into an internationally respected contemporary dance company—yet it remains deeply connected to local communities, offering workshops, public discussions, and outreach initiatives. By securing additional philanthropic support, ADT can continue broadening its community reach, investing more in education programmes that nurture young dancers and expand the art form’s audience. Whether it’s commissioning new pieces that speak to pressing social issues or expanding tours to remote areas of Australia, the bequest will act as a catalyst for even greater public engagement with dance.

Dance, like theatre, doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Companies such as ADT regularly collaborate with playwrights, composers, and visual artists, further enriching the broader performing arts scene. By staying financially robust, ADT can engage in cross-disciplinary collaborations that bring fresh perspectives to audiences. A single production might blend contemporary dance with digital art, for instance, or incorporate spoken word segments from emerging playwrights.

When established organisations such as ADT thrive, they inevitably create ripple effects across the creative landscape, from inspiring other dance companies to offering new employment opportunities for local artists. This is especially vital in regions where the arts might struggle to secure stable funding. Ruth Rentschler’s bequest underscores the continuing need for private philanthropy to keep these ecosystems vibrant and innovative. Indeed, many theatre and dance enthusiasts watch developments at ADT closely, seeing it as a bellwether for how contemporary performance can sustain itself in a constantly shifting funding environment.

Celebrating 60 Years and Beyond

As ADT gears up for its 60th anniversary, there’s an obvious sense of excitement among its staff, dancers, and loyal supporters. Reaching such a milestone invites both nostalgia for past achievements and an eager anticipation of future possibilities. ADT’s history includes iconic choreographic works, bold touring projects, and a legacy of nurturing talented performers who’ve gone on to shape the global dance community.

The bequest from Ruth Rentschler offers a powerful statement about the next chapter of that history. In her own words, she looks forward “to supporting the company for many years to come.” This sentiment, combined with the practical reality of a donation that will strengthen ADT’s ability to plan ahead, sets a confident tone for the company’s upcoming anniversary celebrations. It’s not simply about looking back; it’s about forging new pathways, taking bigger creative risks, and reaffirming ADT’s status as a leader in the Australian dance scene.

For the arts community, stories like this hold an undeniable resonance. They remind us that while government funding and ticket sales remain essential, private philanthropy can offer a distinctive, transformative energy. Professor Ruth Rentschler has shown through her tenure and her donation that leadership can extend beyond organisational governance and into genuine, enduring support of artists, choreographers, and creative visionaries.

Those with a deep love of theatre, dance, and performance art recognise that every stellar production rests on a foundation of passionate individuals who care enough to invest—whether in terms of time, expertise, or financial gifts. And for ADT, the largest donation in its history isn’t merely about money: it’s about a community member standing behind the power of dance as an instrument for social change, innovation, and cultural storytelling. It’s a rousing reminder that the future of Australia’s performing arts can be shaped by dedicated advocates who, like Ruth Rentschler, see the beauty and possibility in movements that speak louder than words.

In the end, this donation is more than a gesture of gratitude; it’s a lifeline, a launching pad, and a promise that the next generation of Australian dancers will find a stage ready for their daring ideas. As ADT marches towards its 60th anniversary, buoyed by Ruth’s belief in the company, audiences have every reason to be excited about what’s on the horizon. Dance is one of the most profound ways we communicate our shared humanity, and with supporters like Ruth Rentschler, ADT stands poised to keep that conversation going for decades to come.