EXCLUSIVE: ‘Culture of censorship’ as arts workers fear backlash

20 Feb 2020

ArtsProfessional’s Freedom of Expression survey reveals gagging orders, bullying and a culture of fear are causing arts and cultural workers to stay silent.

‘The shackles are removed’: arts sector responds to Harry and Meghan's decision

10 Jan 2020

Cultural sector figures question the benefits of royal patronage and consider whether the couple's departure from senior royal duties could allow them to speak more openly about discrimination.

Stop demonising us, BP boss tells arts sector

12 Dec 2019

The Head of BP in the UK said the company’s sponsorship of the arts is helping to further the public debate on climate change.

Defending BP sponsorship: is it "for the public good"?

01 Oct 2019

Chris Garrard dissects the public comments made by cultural leaders on the issue of ethical sponsorship. 

Embracing business

Photo of a row of big buildings
08 Nov 2018

As arts and cultural organisations rise to the challenges facing the sector, some are adopting new and ground-breaking templates for their relationships with business. Patrick Towell surveys the changing landscape.

National Gallery ends corporate partnership with Shell

Photo of National Gallery
25 Oct 2018

The decision follows years of protest and the termination of similar relationships at two major Dutch galleries.

Campaigners celebrate as museums end ties with oil giant

Photo of a Fossil Free Culture NL performance
31 Aug 2018

The Van Gogh Museum and Mauritshuis have said the decision to break with Shell was mutual, and sponsorship agreements that expired this summer would not be renewed.

Institute of Fundraising: Don’t refuse money on ethics alone

Photo of coins
04 May 2018

The membership body has collated and updated guidance on accepting and refusing donations, stressing the importance of adhering to a charity’s purpose as set out in its constitution.

Arts sector fears being too poor to refuse ‘unethical’ donations

Photo of protest at British Museum
27 Apr 2018

New research by AP reveals that few arts organisations have an ethical fundraising policy, although most think they are vulnerable to reputational damage.

How bad is bad?

Photo of protest at British Museum
25 Apr 2018

Are problems of ethics in danger of making the arts unfundable? Michelle Wright addresses some uncomfortable questions.

No room for neutrals

Photo of protestors outside Louvre in Paris
23 Apr 2018

Chris Garrard believes that no one should be neutral in the debate on ethical sponsorship.

Pulse report: Ethics in arts sponsorship

Ethics in arts sponsorship - Pulse
20 Apr 2018

Following protests of arts organisations’ decisions to accept money from controversial businesses, ArtsProfessional's latest survey reveals the sector’s perspective on ethics in fundraising. 

Whose ethics are they anyway?

Image of right-wrong direction sign
20 Apr 2018

At the heart of the debate about ethics in arts sponsorship and fundraising are questions about the moral obligation of the arts sector. Frances Richens reflects on the issues.

Survey to reveal views on ethics in arts sponsorship

Photo of front of gallery
27 Mar 2018

Following high-profile protests of deals between arts organisations and businesses with controversial track records, ArtsProfessional has launched its latest Pulse survey to examine policy and practice in the cultural sector. 

Arms dealer ends arts festival sponsorship following backlash

Photo of Sage Gateshead
09 Mar 2018

After a week of artist boycotts, public protest and ticket sale freezes, BAE Systems has announced it will redirect its support for the Great Exhibition of the North to other “better suited” initiatives.

Welsh arts leaders call for national arts advocacy campaign

Wales Millennium Centre
06 Oct 2017

A ‘brand Wales’ campaign would raise the profile of culture and help the sector raise more non-public funds, the Welsh Assembly has been told.

National Portrait Gallery receives formal complaint about BP ties

A photo of National Portrait Gallery
22 Jun 2017

Campaigners have argued the gallery’s sponsorship deal with the oil giant breaches its ‘Ethical Fundraising Policy’, which they obtained via freedom of information.

Museums across Europe targeted by oil protestors

Photo of protest at British Museum
16 May 2017

The British Museum confiscated items including bow ties and waistcoats from campaigners in London because it was “not aware of what the protestors intended to do with them”.

Beware the corporate sponsors

Photo of skyscrapers and blue sky
14 Mar 2017

Can corporate sponsorship have a negative effect on a cultural organisation’s artistic value? Yuliya Shymko and Thomas Roulet share what they have learned studying the Russian theatre sector.

British Museum breached ethics code, claim protesters

05 Oct 2016

Anti-oil campaigners are calling for the Museum’s sponsorship deal with BP to be reviewed following revelations that trustees weren’t involved in the decision to renew the relationship.

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