By KATH GANNAWAY
TARRAWARRA Museum of Art’s chairman and co-founder, Marc Besen AO has been made a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in this year’s Australia Day Honours.
Mr Besen, AC, AO, was recognised for eminent service to the visual and performing arts as a leading benefactor and supporter, through philanthropic contributions to a range of social welfare, community health, educational and youth initiatives, and to business.
Mr Besen stands out as one of only five people throughout Australia to receive the honour in this year’s list.
TarraWarra Museum of Art (TWMA) is regarded as one of the cultural jewels of the Yarra Valley and a great gift to the valley and to lovers of contemporary Australian art everywhere.
TWMA opened in 2003 and has contributed enormously to the cultural and tourism interests of the Yarra Valley.
Mr Besen was unavailable for comment, but TWMA curator Victoria Lynn spoke to the Mail of the contribution that the museum, and Mr and Mrs Besen had made to this part of the world.
She said the vision was to provide a first-class museum of excellence in the Yarra Valley incorporating the building and collection donated by the Besens.
“They collected the art of their time from the 1950s onward and collected with enormous passion and love,” she said.
“Their other great love is the Yarra Valley.
“From their point of view they wanted to bring these two great loves together and build a museum in their favourite landscape for the enjoyment of the public.”
Described as a privately funded art museum, TWMA was gifted to the Australian public.
Mr Besen is involved in many cultural, community and philanthropic organisations and has made a large and diverse contribution – as recognised by this week’s honour.
They include the National Council of Australian Opera, the National Museums of Australia, Victorian State Opera Board, National Gallery of Victoria, Australian National Gallery and the ANG Foundation, Monash University, The Besen Family Foundation and the Highpoint Property Group that supports a range of Indigenous and youth welfare projects.
