Arts & Business announces recipients of The Prince of Wales Medal for Arts Philanthropy
On November 24th 2009 HRH The Prince of Wales will present Donald MacDonald CBE and Louise MacDonald with one of only five Medals for Arts Philanthropy. The medal celebrates individuals who support the arts and recognises the contribution of the most inspiring cultural philanthropists in the UK.
One of Scotland’s leading businessmen Donald, along with his wife Louise, have been dedicated supporters of Scottish arts and culture. In the 1970s, they helped save the Playhouse Theatre in Edinburgh and they have longstanding connections with the Edinburgh International Festival, Donald having been on the board for 12 years. The MacDonald’s strongest attachment is with the famous Scottish Chamber Orchestra, whose chairman Donald has been since 1985, and this engagement is based on a shared love of music. With their support, the East Neuk Festival in Fife has grown into a fully fledged independent chamber music festival – the winner of a Royal Philharmonic Society Award.
Image: HRH, Louise MacDonald and Donald MacDonald CBE
This full list of this year’s honourees is:
• Sir John Zochonis
• Donald MacDonald CBE and Louise MacDonald
• Dr Keith Howard
• Michael and Dorothy Hintze
• Mrs Mary Weston CBE
The five honourees were chosen after an extensive decision making process. The Prince of Wales’ 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 included 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.