Corporate Giving

Sam Leach

Siemens has been creating innovative technology-based solutions for more than 135 years. The company sees a natural synergy in its partnership with the RMIT School of Art.

Each year, eight emerging RMIT artists are awarded scholarships totalling $32,000 as part of the Siemens-RMIT Fine Art Award program.

Artist Sam Leach won the Siemens-RMIT Fine Arts Travelling Scholarship whilst completing his Masters in Fine Arts a few years ago, and used the funds to travel to Amsterdam, Berlin and London. While travelling, he made some valuable contacts, including Pieter Roelofs, the senior curator of the Rijksmuseum.

In 2010 Sam took out the Archibald prize for his portrait of comedian and musician Tim Minchin. Remarkably, the same year he also won the $25,000 Wynne landscape painting prize in the same year, only the third person ever to have done this. Sam's inspiration for his successful Wynne painting came from his studies of Dutch Masters.

Sam says the Siemens prize was invaluable. "It is not easy for younger, unestablished artists to raise funds to travel," he said. "Artists throughout history have travelled extensively and the transfer of knowledge and ideas has shaped the course of art."

Chairman and Managing Director of Siemens Australia and New Zealand, Mr Albert Goller, said, "For us, it is amazing to see the growth and maturity of the students within the world of art. We hope that having this experience on their CVs helps them to gain recognition and develop further in their work."

Siemens' sponsorship of the Acquisition Award allows the company to acquire one of the scholarship artworks for its corporate collection. Siemens has a unique and diverse collection of works on show at its Victorian headquarters and the company sees a further benefit in the presence of these artworks in their office.

The long-standing partnership between Siemens and RMIT reflects Siemens' support of projects that contribute to creative individuals realising their talents and potential. 'Siemens values education, science, technology and above all, innovation,' Mr Goller said.

Find out more about corporate giving to RMIT

To find out more contact the Development office.