The Open University Honours Richard Spare for his Services to the Arts

We are very proud to share with you that Richard was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by The Open University on 20^th September 2025, in recognition of his ‘Services to the Arts’.

He was nominated for this award as a result of the ‘exceptional contribution he has made to engraving, printmaking, and fine art’.

It was a huge privilege and a pleasure to spend the day at The Open University Graduation Ceremony at the Barbican in London, a truly joyful occasion.

Richard was presented to the Director, John D’Arcy, by Dr Margit Thøfner, Senior Lecturer in Art History.

During his acceptance speech, Richard explained why this award is especially significant to him personally, as he left school with no qualifications but persevered in eventually gaining a place at Maidstone College of Art which set him on the long road to where he is today.

Richard sees The Open University’s mission for Social Justice and its ethos of innovation, flexibility and accessibility as hugely important and inspirational.

#OUfamily         www.open.ac.uk