Ten years ago, the UK arts and culture scene was awash with oil company logos. From the BP Portrait Award to the Shell-sponsored Southbank Centre in London, the industry was deeply embedded in the most high-profile arts institutions.
Today, things look very different. Earlier this year, it was confirmed that BP’s deals with the Royal Opera House and British Museum have ended, meaning the oil industry has now been almost entirely swept away from the UK culture sector. At least 15 cultural institutions have shuttered their oil partnerships in the last 10 years.1
