As part of Culture Unstained's ongoing investigative work, we recently uncovered new details of BP's close 'strategic relationship' with the UK government. The emails and other documents showed... How BP uses its sponsorship deals with cultural institutions - notably the British Museum - as platforms for influencing ministers and policy-makers. A letter from BP CEO … Continue reading UK’s close ‘strategic relationship’ with BP revealed
#MuseumHour takes on ethical sponsorship
On Monday night, we guest hosted #MuseumHour, a weekly Twitter discussion for the museums sector 'to ask the unsayable and think the unthinkable'. Taking our lead from Arts Professional's recent survey on ethical sponsorship, we asked a series of related questions, including several suggested by one of AP's editors. The heated and lively debate included … Continue reading #MuseumHour takes on ethical sponsorship
From France to the UK, action and investigation on oil sponsors
After BAE Systems was forced to back out as a sponsor of the Great Exhibition of the North a little over a week ago, the debate around ethical sponsorship of arts and cultural organisations has continued to grow in momentum... Action at the Louvre Last Monday, the french art activist collective, Libérons le Louvre occupied … Continue reading From France to the UK, action and investigation on oil sponsors
6 reasons it took artists just one week to end a BAE Systems sponsorship deal.
Just over a week ago, controversy erupted when high-profile artists and performers began pulling out of the 'Great Exhibition of the North 2018' after they discovered that the event was being sponsored by the controversial arms manufacturer, BAE Systems. Now, as the negative publicity showed no signs of going away, BAE Systems have announced they … Continue reading 6 reasons it took artists just one week to end a BAE Systems sponsorship deal.
Emails reveal university ready to help BP clamp down on critics at City of Culture
As the University of Hull prepares to host the last in a series of BP-sponsored lectures tonight as part of Hull City of Culture, Culture Unstained has made public a series of damning emails which reveal that as pressure has mounted on BP’s sponsorship of the festival, the university - and members of the City … Continue reading Emails reveal university ready to help BP clamp down on critics at City of Culture
‘Nothing is neutral’ – Reflecting on the Museums Association’s Conference 2017
Chris Garrard, Co-director of Culture Unstained, headed to Manchester last week for this year's Museums Association Conference. Here are his thoughts on just some of the debates and discussions that took place... Climate change. The refugee crisis. Social inequality. Brexit. And of course, Trump. In her opening remarks, Director of the Museums Association (MA) Sharon … Continue reading ‘Nothing is neutral’ – Reflecting on the Museums Association’s Conference 2017
New trustees and another £4m surplus for the RSC
Yesterday was the Royal Shakespeare Company's Annual General Meeting. It announced four new trustees and another surplus of £4 million.
Ethical fundraising is possible, despite what the RSC may claim
Today we are launching a new web resource on Ethical Sponsorship. Here's why. When unveiling the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Summer 2018 season recently, its Artistic Director Greg Doran seized the opportunity to defend the theatre company’s sponsorship deal with BP. According to iNews, Doran said that he 'would not bow to Art Not Oil activists … Continue reading Ethical fundraising is possible, despite what the RSC may claim
Did The Times censor criticism of BP?
UPDATE: we have been in touch with The Times who claim that the two different versions resulted from the late addition of the line about BP - not its removal. We have therefore asked them to add the missing line or delete the old version in order to bring the article in line with what … Continue reading Did The Times censor criticism of BP?
Revealed: the RSC’s new sponsorship rules
As extreme weather events batter the US and South-Asia, the RSC's newly-published Sponsorship Policy is disappointingly devoid of ethics when it comes to its sponsor BP.
