Daniel Besen awarded Member of the Order of Australia, issues call to save arts sector

Daniel Besen has called on all levels of government and wealthy benefactors to do more to back the arts sector, warning that community-based organisations are in danger of failing.

Daniel Besen, the founder of Besen Group, is worried wider society and particularly governments are not doing enough to recognise a looming funding crisis for the arts.

Daniel Besen has called on all ­levels of government and wealthy benefactors to do more to back the arts sector, warning that dozens of small community-based organisations are in danger of failing due to a lack of funding.

Mr Besen, who has been involved in a string of arts boards and backed a wide range of philanthropic causes since his 20s, is worried wider society and particularly governments are not doing enough to recognise a looming funding crisis for the arts.

The Melbourne property ­developer and investor said he believed it was “essential” for society for the arts to be supported as the sector is “essential for our wellbeing and also part of giving joy to life”.

Mr Besen told The Australian he believed that, “in general, Australians are very generous people and they give to the areas that they find important to their lives” and said it was “absolutely critical that those people who can afford to the extent that they can afford and contribute to society in those areas that they feel are meaningful to them”.

But he was concerned that, as ­priorities across society changed, there was an increasing belief that the arts and creative pursuits didn’t need to be supported.

“It’s critical that we balance our lives, both in gaining things from the abundance that we’re privileged to have, but also contribute to our society,” he said. “[But] it’s challenging for the arts and the reason, I’ve concluded, is because I think people in Australia take for granted the arts will just happen.

“And I think that there is a yawning gulf in terms of funding for the arts that is only getting bigger as people’s priorities change. And that is a real concern for me in the medium and longer term.”

Inspired by his late parents Marc and Eva, Mr Besen’s arts leadership and involvement began in his 20s, when he became the youngest ever member of the board of Heide Museum of Modern Art in Melbourne and founded Australia’s first Jewish Film Festival, Celluloid Soup.

The founder of Besen Group, a property development and investment firm, the 59-year-old has also backed and chaired or been a director of dozens of arts organisations including the Collingwood Yards art incubator and the Chunky Move Dance Company. He is also the chair of the TarraWarra Museum of Art in Victoria’s Yarra Valley and the museum’s foundation, started by his late parents.

Mr Besen’s other arts and philanthropic experiences include founding several arts prizes and supporting festivals, research and scholarship programs, and stints as a director of the Melbourne International Arts Festival and the Jewish Museum of Australia.

It has led to Mr Besen being awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours for ­significant service to the arts, and to philanthropy.

“I feel it’s a cliche, but my initial feeling was I am very honoured and very humbled and it has given me the opportunity to reflect upon the many decades that I’ve been involved in the arts and thinking through all of the extraordinary people and organisations that I’ve had the privilege of being involved with,” Mr Besen said. “It has made me feel very fulfilled and very happy and very fortunate that how many wonderful people that I’ve met through the arts and how enriching it’s been for my life.”

Mr Besen said a passion for the arts and a belief in philanthropy was passed down from his parents. “It was fundamental to the home I grew up in, the spirit that they lived their life with, and the guiding light really for my life ­really,” he said.

Mr Besen said there were many small arts organisations facing closure due to cuts in government support and a lack of meaningful funds from the private philanthropic sector. “I just feel that it’s the responsibility of all levels of government – and also of the private philanthropic sector as well.”