Richard Benge: a champion of arts access for everyone

RNZ News

3 days ago

culture arts 22 minutes ago
30 years ago this last week organisation Arts Access Aotearoa was founded by Penny Eames to better drive access to the arts for people who can get excluded from cultural life. This charitable trust supports 65 creative spaces nationwide, other arts and cultural organisations, and the careers of Deaf and disabled artists. An advocate for these artists, It also advises and supports Te Ara Poutama the Department of Corrections on its arts programmes in prisons. Long a champion of arts access for all is Arts Access Aotearoa's Executive Director of 15 years Richard Benge. He joined us on Fast Favourites to share some of his personal favourites. Benge highlighted that this month is the 40th anniversary of Vincent's Art Workshop, Aotearoa's oldest creative space. They've holding a celebratory exhibition at convention centre Takina in Poneke Wellington from August 7. Turning 15 in July meanwhile was another organisation Benge counts as a local favourite, Wellington Inclusive Dance. In his personal life Benge is passionate about mentoring and is part of the Big Buddy scheme, in which boys between the ages of 7 and 17 without dads in their lives have adult men who volunteer their time.