Professional Development, Programs and Initiatives for members of MEAA Equity and Equity NZ.
About Us
Assisting, Educating and Inspiring Performers since 2002.
What we do
The Equity Foundation is the region’s leading provider of professional development programs tailored to the unique needs of performers. The Equity Foundation strives to build and sustain performers’ careers, recognise artistic excellence, create a diverse and inclusive industry and harness performers’ talent for community programs.
The Equity Foundation is the professional development arm of MEAA Equity and Equity NZ. Every year the Equity Foundation delivers more than 150 free master classes, workshops, film screenings, in conversations, international scholarships and on set internships free of charge for Equity members.
MEAA Equity
If you are a professional performer, you are Equity.
Since 1939 Equity has been improving the lives of Australian performers. Thanks to the strength and unity of our members Equity has won minimum rates, residuals, rehearsal pay, per diems and so much more.
Equity is now a section of the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance – the largest and most established union and industry advocate for Australia’s creative professionals. MEAA Equity continues to improve wages and conditions for performers every day. MEAA Equity campaigns for safe and harassment free workplaces, funding for arts institutions and public broadcasters and Australian content on every platform.
MEAA Equity champions wellness, diversity, equality and inclusion industry-wide. In 2018-2019 MEAA Equity recovered over $195,000 for members. Every quarter MEAA Equity distributes over $1.5 million in residual payments to performers.
Join MEAA Equity Today
or contact MEAA Member Central on 1300 65 65 13.
Equity New Zealand
Equity New Zealand is a collective of performers, working in union, to improve our professional lives.
Thanks to the strength and unity of our members, we have secured recommended contracts and guidelines which now form Industry best practice in New Zealand. We continue to work to improve rights and conditions for performers every day, with a particular focus on securing the right to collectively bargain in the screen industry.
Equity New Zealand is a registered trade union and is affiliated with the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance, the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions and the International Federation of Actors.
Sign Up Today
We continue to work to improve rights and conditions for performers every day.
Our supporters
Media Super is the Principal Partner of the Equity Foundation.
For sponsorship inquiries please contact Equity Foundation Director Mary Cotter mary.cotter@equityfoundation.org.au 02 9333 0922.
Meet the team
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Mary Cotter has been Director of the Equity Foundation for the past eight years, driving major program initiatives and overseeing sponsorship engagement. Mary launched our Storyville initiative, Intimacy on Set Training, Talent Diversity Showcase, scholarships and internship programs. Previous positions have included Deputy Director of the Walkley Foundation for Journalism, General Manager of the Melbourne Press Club and Events Manager at the Irish Embassy in Washington DC.
As our Program Manager Alex produces and manages more than 100 events per year throughout Australia and New Zealand, including all Equity Foundation masterclasses, workshops and in conversations. Prior to joining the Equity Foundation Alex was Conference Director of the SPAA Conference and SPAA Fringe. Alex has a BA, majoring in Politics from Latrobe University and has worked in politics and the arts for the last 30 years.
Lizzie manages communications and editorial for the Equity Foundation and MEAA Equity, overseeing all digital content, marketing, publicity and editing The Equity Magazine. Lizzie completed a cadetship at Fairfax Media after majoring in International Communications (hons) at Macquarie University. Lizzie has spent more than a decade managing campaigns and communications for arts and political not-for-profit organisations.
Helen is responsible for all of Storyville’s communication and collaboration with performers and their local schools and communities. Helen also oversees the monthly Self-Test Project and the Self Test Studios. Helen has extensive experience working with children in child care centres, school holiday programs, youth theatre workshops and theme parks. Outside of working hours, Helen is a Sydney-based performer, who graduated from Bachelor of Arts (Drama Theatre).
Zoe looks after Storyville’s partnerships and community engagement. As an artists’ manager, event and content producer, Zoe has curated and delivered high-quality events and content for over five years, as a result she has developed strong networks with international and local artist communities and worked with clients including Scentre Group (Westfield's), Adobe, ANZ, Vivid Sydney and Biennale of Sydney. Zoe is passionate about creating more opportunities for artists, making art more accessible to the public and diversifying the current arts and culture landscape in Australia and around the world.
