Get Involved - Things To Do, People To Contact
- Make a piece of art that’s your response to the current climate crisis, or inspired by resistance to oil-fuelled injustice, or fired by the need for solutions, or...you decide.
Send a small picture of it to us if you like, and/or get it seen by a many people as you can.
- Create some energy dissent on the root causes of climate change whenever you can, or support those who are, whether they be in the UK or further afield. Check out Rising Tide UK for more practical ideas and recipes. And Climate Camp (www.climatecamp.org.uk) is also doing great work in building a movement for climate justice...
- Cut your carbon!
- boycott petrol stations (all of them - as often as you can)
- stay away from aeroplanes (unless occupying the fuselage!)
- bathe with a friend
- can you help your community get ready for energy descent? See http://transitionculture.org
- get green leccy (not from a big corporate supplier) etc. etc. Check out the handy tips on the Self-Sufficientish website: http://www.selfsufficientish.com
- Let these cultural institutions know how you feel about their acceptance of climate-changing funding, (and copy us in to your correspondence if you can). Don’t forget to keep it polite. Feel free to use the evidence elsewhere on this site to back up your points. (This information is correct - we hope - as of July 2009).
- London's Almeida Theatre:
once listed BP as a 'Corporate Partner', but in April 2011 we were informed that BP is no longer a sponsor. Something to celebrate!
- National Portrait Gallery:
Portrait Award sponsored by BP until 2012;
Sandy Nairne, Director, NPG, St. Martin's Place, London WC2H 0HE
snairne@npg.org.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tel: 020 7312 2463
- Tate Britain:
British Art Displays 1500-2008 sponsored by BP, which also supports
regular kids days at the gallery, and British Artist Talks;
Nicholas Serota, Director, Tate Galleries, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG;
nicholas.serota@tate.org.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
cc. to Penelope Curtis, Director, Tate Britain: penelope.curtis@tate.org.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
cc. visiting.britain@tate.org.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tel: 020 7887 8888
And remember: "Art exists to change the status quo. Sometimes you have to take a moral standpoint to provide that space for questions to be raised, even though others argue that you shouldn't - as they did when we showed Mark Wallinger's State Britain."
(quoted in Guardian, 2.2.10, part of its 'Citizen Ethics' feature);
and...
To celebrate Tate Modern's 10th birthday, The Observer asked the art world – and its readers – to put their questions to Nicholas Serota: http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2010/apr/25/serota-tate-modern-tenth-birthday
Glen Tarman Charity manager, Wapping, London asked:
'In a time of climate change, will you stop sponsorship by oil companies so we can visit Tate and enjoy great art without being complicit in climate chaos?'
Serota:
'The first thing to say is we have support from BP, which as a company is looking at renewable energy as well as using up fossil fuels and using oil. We have long had support from them and are not intending to abandon it. But we are committed to addressing issues posed by climate change. Tate has made some big strides in terms of carbon reduction and bringing that to the attention of other people in the world.'
- Science Museum:
BP is a Corporate Patron & sponsor of 'Energy: Fuelling the Future';
Shell is sponsor of the Museum’s Launchpad gallery. GlaxoSmithKline &
HSBC are both currently major sponsors [hardly preferable to Big Oil!]
Prof. Chris Rapley, Director, SM, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2DD. chris.rapley@nmsi.ac.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ,
cc. enquiries@sciencemuseum.org.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tel: 0870 870 4868
- Barbican:
not currently receiving oil industry funding, but host of the London link-up to Shell Annual General Meeting in 2008 and 2009;
Sir Nicholas Kenyon, Managing Director, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
nkenyon@barbican.org.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , cc. info@barbican.org.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tel: 020 7638 4141
- Natural History Museum:
‘Think access. Think exclusivity. For a closer association, think Corporate Membership of the Natural History Museum’, says the NHM website.
Shell is no longer sponsor of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, but as a ‘Diamond Level’ Corporate Member it still donates over £30,000p.a., as does BP.
‘Emerald Level’ Corporate Members include mining goliath Rio Tinto and British Airways (which at least no longer sponsors the NHM’s annual ice rink).
Current Prime Minister-appointed NHM Trustees include Louise Charlton of Brunswick Group, the public relations firm contracted in 2004 by Shell to carry out damage limitation in the wake of its reserves-reporting scandal. Sir
William Castell, non-executive director of BP, retired as NHM Trustee early in 2008.)
Michael Dixon, Director, NHM, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD
m.dixon@nhm.ac.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and/or email via
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/about-us/contact-enquiries/forms/emailform.jsp?recip=customerservices&business_title=Customer%20Services&email_title=Customer%20Enquiry
Tel: 020 7942 5000
- Royal Opera House:
The upper echelon of ROH funders, known as the ‘Chairman's Circle’, includes BP & Rio Tinto. BP funds the ‘Summer Screens’ programme of video link-ups across the UK;
Tony Hall, Chief Executive, Bow Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9DD
tony.hall@roh.org.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ; http://www.roh.org.uk/contact/index.aspx
Tel: 020 7240 1200
- British Museum:
BP is a current 'Global Partner', and sponsor of major exhibitions;
Neil MacGregor, Director, BM, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG
directorate@thebritishmuseum.ac.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , cc. information@britishmuseum.orgThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tel: 020 7323 8000/8299
- National Gallery:
Shell has been a regular sponsor of major exhibitions, and is currently a ‘Corporate contributor’:
- The opportunity to hold private functions at the Gallery – entertain your guests in our picture galleries, surrounded by exquisite works of art
- Behind-the-scenes conservation visits
- Invitations to exhibition openings and previews
- Special access to the collections and all major exhibitions
- Discounts on merchandise
Dr. Nicholas Penny, Director, NG, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
nicholas.penny@nationalgallery.co.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , cc. information@ng-london.org.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tel: 020 7747 2885
- National Maritime Museum:
Supported by BP Shipping Ltd and Shell International Trading & Shipping.
NMM Trustee Jan Kopernicki is Vice-President of Shipping for the
Shell International Trading and Shipping Company.
Kevin Fewster, Director, NMM, Greenwich, London SE10 9NF
kfewster@nmm.ac.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , cc. press@nmm.ac.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tel: 020 8858 4422
- National Theatre:
As a ‘Partner’, Shell UK Ltd & American Airlines gets anonymity about their perks. Shell has also been sponsor of a series of classical dramas, the first two being ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ and ‘Oedipus’.
As a 'Premium Member', Morgan Stanley gets this: ‘Our most prestigious and flexible membership level, offering a generous range of entertaining opportunities.
The key benefit is a 100-person evening sponsorship event, offering
branding to reach both your guests and the wider NT audience. Other
benefits include an invitation to our annual Chairman's Dinner, a
40-person private event, two opportunities for complimentary NT space hire
and an allocation of tickets, backstage tours and Platform performances.’
As a 'Platinum Member', British American Tobacco (after all, tobacco isn't as bad as oil) get this: ‘This highly flexible membership level focuses on private hospitality, offering 40 best tickets
with private dining. Other benefits include an exclusive event for 30
guests, two special Platinum evenings with a chance to meet the cast, an
invitation to our annual Chairman's Dinner, an opportunity for
complimentary NT space hire and an allocation of tickets, backstage tours
and Platform performances.’
'Gold Member' Tesco plc gets this: ‘Six exclusive Gold members' evenings per
year are the key benefit of this level. Each evening includes tickets, drinks and a supper reception, as well as the chance to meet the cast after the play. Other benefits include an allocation of free tickets, private dining packages, backstage tours and Platform performances.’
Nicholas Hytner (Artistic Director) nhytner@nationaltheatre.org.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Nick Starr (Executive Director): nstarr@nationaltheatre.org.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
cc. feedback@nationaltheatre.org.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
NT, South Bank, London SE1 9PX,
Tel: 020 7452 3400
- Southbank Centre:
South Bank Centre neighbour Shell pumped serious amounts into it for its two year upgrade, and there is a 'monument' to this fact on the ground floor of the Royal Festival Hall (RFH).
The Royal Festival Hall has been running 'Shell Classic International' for some time.
'Acknowledging your support is important to us and we will ensure your company name is credited on the highly visible Honour Board in the Royal Festival Hall Foyer...There are opportunities to name rooms, Auditorium Boxes and seats for three years and affix a plaque with your company name inscribed on it...We will also credit your support on Southbank Centre's website and annual review.'
Current Governors (October 2010) include
Rick Haythornthwaite (Chairman) Rick has a wealth of experience in the arts and cultural sectors and was Chair of the Board of the (BP-sponsored) Almeida Theatre, Chair of the Corporate Advisory Group at (BP-sponsored) Tate and a board member of the British Council. He has also been a trustee of the UK National Museum of Science and Industry, Chair of the British American Arts Association and a trustee of the Whitechapel Art Gallery.
Rick is President of PSA Energy. His current non-executive positions include Chairman of Network Rail and Chairman of the Board of Mastercard Inc.
Prior to his current roles he was CEO of Invensys from 2001 to 2005, Group Chief Executive of Blue Circle Industries and Director of Corporate and Commercial at Premier Oil. He joined British Petroleum in 1978 and was there for 17 years, becoming the President of BP Venezuela.
Robin Woodhead (Deputy Chairman)Before joining Sotheby's in 1998 he was Chief Executive of the London Commodity Exchange, having previously been Chairman and Chief Executive of National Investment Group plc and Chairman of International Petroleum Exchange Ltd.
Susan Gilchrist: Susan Gilchrist has worked for the corporate communications company, Brunswick Group for more than a decade and is Senior Partner, UK. She is responsible for driving revenues and developing the business client base in London. Susan also sits on the Executive Committee Board, which runs the company globally. Before joining the company, Susan was a journalist specialising in business.
Mark Wallinger:
Mark Wallinger, one of Britain’s foremost contemporary artists, took up his post on Southbank Centre's Board of Governors on 1 July 2010.
Among his most well known works are: A Real Work of Art, a racehorse, which Wallinger bought in 1993 and entered in the flat racing season in 1994; Ecce Homo, a life-size sculpture of Christ that occupied the Fourth Plinth in London's Trafalgar Square (1999); and State Britain, a meticulous recreation of peace campaigner Brian Haw’s Parliament Square protest for the Duveen Galleries at Tate Britain (2007). He was shortlisted for the Turner Prize in 1995, which he subsequently won in 2007.
http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/about-us/board-of-governors
Contact Southbank Centre boss Jude Kelly: jude.kelly@southbankcentre.co.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX;
tel: 020 7960 4200,
perhaps cc'ing your message to
Sarah Sawkins, Corporate Development Manager
Tel: 0207 921 0989; sarah.sawkins@southbankcentre.co.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Rebecca Smith, Corporate Development Manager
Tel: 020 7921 0683; rebecca.smith@southbankcentre.co.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tamarisk Sutherland, Corporate Development Officer
Tel: 020 7921 0609; tamarisk.sutherland@southbankcentre.co.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
- Serpentine Gallery:
JUNE 2010 UPDATE: Summer Pavilion no longer sponsored by NetJets!We congratulate the Serpentine for this change, however, NetJets is still a Platinum Corporate Benefactor, and its boss Mark Booth is still on the Board of Trustees, so there is still a serious conflict of interest, and an even more serious climate crime in which the gallery is complicit. Please let it know, passionately but politely, how you feel about that.
2008 and 2009 Pavilions sponsored by NetJets, the largest business jet company in Europe. NetJets boss Mark Booth is on the board of the Serpentine Gallery, as is Coliin Tweedy, boss of Arts & Business.
From the Gallery's website:
'NetJets Europe is the title sponsor for the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2009. Mark Booth, Executive Chairman, said: "Sejima and Nishizawa’s design for the Serpentine Pavilion 2009 is truly breathtaking. The incredible light and openness of the concept will make for a stunning structure, which will raise the bar even higher for the much-anticipated Pavilion. Design is an area that we’re passionate about at NetJets: we’re firmly focussed on how we can bring world-class design to our customers’ flight experience; just as the Serpentine Pavilion brings world class architecture to London. We’re delighted to be a partner in this project and are looking forward to seeing the finished Pavilion."
Plane Stupid's take on business jets: http://www.planestupid.com/video/biggin1
Julia Peyton-Jones & Hans Ulrich Obrist (Serpentine Gallery Directors): 020 7298 1521
information@serpentinegallery.orgThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Kensington Gardens, London W2 3XATel: 020 7402 6075
- Scarborough Art Gallery & Rotunda Museum:
Sponsored by Shell and (to a lesser degree) BP, not to mention British Gas, Rio Tinto, Total, Petro-Canada, Premier Oil, Canadian oil tar sands experts Husky Energy (now half-owned by BP) and the Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain.
Scarborough Museums Trust, The Crescent, Scarborough YO11 2PW info@smtrust.uk.com
- British Film Institute:
Shell & BP are both corporate members:
'Join the A-List, the BFI's Corporate Membership scheme
A Corporate Membership with the BFI offers year-round access to our impressive collections, enabling a company to curate and present its own programme of film screenings at BFI Southbank, a unique corporate hospitality opportunity offered exclusively to our Corporate Members.
Other benefits include access to BFI Southbank's diverse film programme through complimentary access and priority booking, access to exclusive on-stage interviews and film previews, priority booking for the star-studded BFI London Film Festival, film-making workshops for clients, employees or stakeholders, networking events, extensive accreditation and generous advertising discounts.
A-List investment starts at £5,000 + VAT.'
American Airlines is also a prominent supporter.
Contact Amanda Nevill, Director, BFI, 21 Stephen Street, London W1T 1LN; director@bfi.org.uk
You might also want to contact Trustee Shami Chakrabarti, who is Director of Liberty and says good things when she appears on programmes like Any Questions (on Radio 4): 020 7403 3888 or 0203 145 0460
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So there you have it. More information that you probably ever wanted, but a revealing snapshot nonetheless of a cultural sector that has yet to walk the talk when it comes to climate change and sustainability. It may be a victim to some degree of the privatisation of public art and the diversion of government revenues into catastrophic wars for the control of dwindling energy resources, but might it be past time expect even a whimper of protest from these institutions’ bosses or Trustees? Or are they too deeply embedded in a status quo that is unable to countenance the possibility of the loss of its own privilege?
Hmm, answers on a postcard please…
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