The Science Museum’s controversial relationship with major polluter BP is to end after almost 25 years. The decision follows a growing boycott over the Museum’s unethical sponsors. Pressure continues for the Science Museum to now also drop its coal and weapons giant sponsor Adani, and on the British Museum which is now the only major UK cultural institution still sponsored by BP.
This week, the UK parliament debated a ban on fossil fuel advertising and sponsorship for the first time in what is, hopefully, the first step towards legislation that would limit the industry’s ability to promote its polluting products and spread disinformation. As these voices and perspectives make clear, advertising and sponsorship is also a coordinated strategy to deflect from the polluting and destructive impacts the fossil fuel industry has on communities around the world. Bringing in a ban would stop the likes of BP, Shell and Adani from cynically trying to hide the reality of their business.
Today, internal documents from BP have been made public which uncover the oil company’s ‘cynical strategy’ for sponsoring art and culture. The internal memos show how far from seeking to generously support the culture sector, BP had sought to use sponsorship of museums and galleries as a way to both reach ‘high-level decision-makers’ and secure … Continue reading Revealed: BP memos on cynical sponsorship strategy for art, culture and sport
Culture Unstained 