Mark Benton to be TVA’s first Patron

Mark BentonTees Valley Arts are delighted to announce that Mark Benton has agreed to be their first ever official patron. Tees Valley Arts is a charity based in Middlesbrough that has been delivering high quality arts projects across Teesside for nearly thirty years.

For example, in 2009/10 Tees Valley Arts delivered over 11,000 participant sessions – with children and young people (including those Not in Education, Employment or Training, young offenders, young parents, those in care and those with behavioural and/or other difficulties), with refugees and asylum seekers and with people with disabilities or other challenges in life. TVA has a great history of delivering science through the arts and in 2010 TVA secured Heritage Lottery Funding of £240K for environmental engagement and learning – working in 20 schools across the Tees Valley on the Green TV project.

Rowena Sommerville, Director of Tees Valley Arts, commented:

We are delighted that one of Teesside’s highest profile actors has agreed to be our first ever patron. I am sure he will be an inspiration to some of the participants on our projects, many of whom are interested in pursuing a career in the arts.

Mark Benton said:-

It is an honour to be asked by Tees Valley Arts to be their patron and I look forward to learning more about the great projects they run for the people of Teesside, particularly their excellent creative work with hard to reach groups and communities.