Arts & Business announces recipients of The Prince of Wales Medal for Arts Philanthropy
HRH The Prince of Wales will present his five Medals for Arts Philanthropy at a special ceremony at St James’s Palace on November 22nd 2010. The medal celebrates individuals who support the arts and recognises the contribution of the most inspiring cultural philanthropists in the UK.
This year’s honourees:
Click on the names below to read their full biogs
• Mr Richard Broyd
• Mr Anthony d’Offay & Mrs Anne d’Offay
• Helen Thorpe
• Mr and Mrs David Seligman OBE FRWCMD
• (The late) Lord Wolfson & Family
Colin Tweedy, Chief Executive of Arts & Business, comments: "In these difficult times we are collectively looking to corporate philanthropy and individual philanthropy as the cornerstones for growth for our cultural community. It is always vital to honour the remarkable commitment of individuals who have found the love and passion to allow the arts to flourish for future generations.
"These honourees tell very different stories. They come from different worlds and have given and supported the arts in many different ways. What unites them is an unfailing belief in the importance of the arts and the desire and commitment to see the arts flourish.
"Arts & Business is honoured to create this Medal for our President, The Prince of Wales. These honourees are an inspiration to us all. We congratulate all the recipients on receiving their prestigious and well-deserved medals for arts philanthropy this year."
Welcoming this year’s medals, Secretary of State for Culture Jeremy Hunt said: “The arts in this country will continue to flourish thanks to a combination of public subsidy, corporate support and the profound generosity of private donors. The five honourees being recognised today epitomise the philanthropic spirit. I thank and congratulate them and hope others will be encouraged to follow their lead. I would also thank the Prince of Wales for his unstinting support for our arts and heritage and his initiative in establishing this Medal and Arts & Business for continuing to show leadership in this vital area."
Labour Shadow Culture Minister Ivan Lewis said: "We must not let a dark shadow fall across our cultural world. The Prince of Wales philanthropy medal is a fantastic way to thank and profile those individuals who do so much to balance the UK’s delicate funding ecology. We always need to celebrate and recognise passionate people who make significant contributions to our cultural life. Arts & Business has created a special and unique award that goes to people whose generosity and philanthropy enrich the lives of millions.”
The five honourees were selected after an extensive decision making process. The Prince of Wales’ Arts Advisory Group drew up a short list of twenty philanthropists which went forward to a final judging panel of artists, who chose the first five honourees. The final panel consisted of Sir Ronald Harwood (writer for stage and screen), Dame Monica Mason (Director of The Royal Ballet) and Christopher Le Brun (artist). The medal was first presented in 2008.
Click here to read full biogs of this year's honourees