Western Sydney inspired by James Packer's $60 million gift to the arts community Dancers Tania Chodasewick and Lucy Riechelmann hope to benefit from James Packer's gift. A MULTI-million-dollar upgrade of Parramatta's Riverside Theatre could be part of an enriched western Sydney cultural life flowing from entrepreneur James Packer's $60 million arts gift. As NSW parliament began moving to approve a VIP casino licence for Mr Packer's Crown Resorts at Barangaroo yesterday, Sydney arts leaders praised the surprise gesture which will result in a $30 million boost for western Sydney's undernourished arts scene. Sydney Business Chamber Western Sydney director David Borger said the 25-year-old Parramatta theatre had been pushing for government funds to upgrade and expand from 700 seats to about 1200. Dancers Tania Chodasewick and Lucy Riechelmann. "The theatre is working really well, but with its capacity it struggles to attract the really big productions - the West Side Storys, the Strictly Ballrooms," he said. Arts and cultural advisers will be appointed from western Sydney to advise Mr Packer's Crown Resorts Foundation on how the $30 million should be allocated. Arts organisations will be able to apply for funding, which will be spread over the next 10 years. The foundation will provide funding for scholarships, building works and arts programs. Mr Packer said yesterday his sister Gretel had come up with the $60 million idea as a special "thank you" to Sydney for the chance to build Crown's proposed six-star casino resort at Barangaroo. "My sister said to me - and I do what my sister tells me - 'this is what we're going to be doing'," Mr Packer told Alan Jones on Macquarie radio. The Sydney Theatre Company will receive $15 million and the Art Gallery of NSW $10 million, while the remaining $5 million will be shared between groups including the Bangarra Dance Theatre, MCA, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Australian Chamber Orchestra and Sydney Dance Company. AGNSW president Steven Lowy said the "generous and unexpected donation" was a great vote of confidence in cultural institutions. Sydney Theatre Company executive director Patrick McIntyre said the "landmark gift" was the largest philanthropic contribution the company had received. Sydney Symphony managing director Rory Jeffes said the orchestra was "delighted" to be a recipient and already had a big presence in western Sydney. Sydney Dance Company executive director Anne Dunne said the gift "sets a fantastic example within the business community." Sydney Dance Company executive director Anne Dunne said the gift "sets a fantastic example within the business community in Australia." An artist's impression for the proposed Crown Hotel and high roller casino at Barangaroo in Sydney.