Jess Worth and Claire Fox discuss ethical sponsorship in the arts, while Sarah Dunant highlights the history of cash in the arts. They delve into the debate on big oil funding, philanthropy, and the balance between morality and wealth in supporting cultural institutions.
Arts organizations are debating setting a high moral standard for the business sponsors they accept to balance financial needs with ethical funding policies.
Controversy arises over accepting sponsors linked to crises like opioids or oil companies, sparking debates on compromising artistic integrity and public trust.
Deep dives
Ethical Funding in the Arts
Arts organizations are debating setting a high moral standard for the business sponsors they accept. They need to balance financial needs with preserving their reputation through ethical funding policies. The debate questions accepting sponsors like drug companies or polluting oil firms, and whether philanthropists are donating to cleanse their reputations.
Arts and Controversial Sponsors
The arts sector faces controversy over accepting sponsors with questionable practices. Exhibitions linked to opioid crises or sponsored by oil companies have sparked protests and withdrawals of sponsorships. The debate extends to whether accepting such sponsors compromises artistic integrity and public trust.
Corporate Sponsorship Dilemma
The debate on arts sponsorship extends to concerns about the influence of corporate money. While arts institutions rely on private sector funding, questions arise about maintaining ethical standards. Criticism focuses on associations with companies involved in crises like climate change and the opioid epidemic, prompting a reevaluation of funding sources.
Should galleries take money from the likes of big oil? Ed Butler speaks to Jess Worth of the UK pressure group Culture Unstained, and Claire Fox, director of the UK's Academy of Ideas. And British novelist, art critic and broadcaster Sarah Dunant explains the well-established history of cash and corruption in the arts. Hong Kong billionaire philanthropist James Chen says donors need to engage with the issues.
(Photo: Protesters outside the National Portrait Gallery in London, Credit: Getty Images)
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode