Within the arts world there is a continuing debate whether commercial businesses should be used to sponsor art programmes and organisations. Some would argue that the purity and freedom of expression that art portrays is in contradiction to the corporate gain focus of commercial businesses. In contrast, others argue that without the investment of business into the arts world many artists would lack a platform on which to share their creativity. The arguments below highlight the difference of opinion between the two schools of thought.
FOR
Commercial businesses can provide a huge capital investment into the arts. There are many examples of privately owned businesses investing in arts and art events with a positive impact, providing funding where otherwise monies may be not be available. Below are just a couple of examples of large corporations showing a dedication to art and how the commercial and art combination can be successful.
As a huge corporate investor BP sponsors the British Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, the Royal Opera House and Tate Britain, pledging £10m over the next five years. Clearly such a huge investment in these establishments must have a positive impact in raising awareness to the arts scene and providing a platform for new talent. Sponsoring initiatives such as the BP portrait awards further promotes both BP and the arts, in addition to this partnership. The positive impact of this investment is echoed within the industry, as mentioned below.
"If you have spent any time in an art gallery recently, you are likely to have BP to thank for the experience" - Tiffany Jenkins, director of arts and society at the Institute of Ideas.
Many industry figures focus on the positive aspects of BP’s investment and are appreciative of the funding over despite the ethical dilemma of corporate investment. Tate director, Nicholas Serota states "There's no money that is completely pure,
BP as a company is looking at renewable energy as well as using fossil fuels and using oil" .
Colin Tweedy, chief executive, Arts and Business further echoes this opinion stating
"I don't think there's any way we can say the arts scene has been distorted by corporate money".
Jaguar Land Rover is another example of a corporate business who invest heavily in the arts. As headline sponsors of the Arts & Business awards, JLR continually invest large sums in art awards and initiatives. In the interview below, Ian Callum, design director of JLR cars, talks about how business and the arts have a lot in common and can be a successful partnership.
AGAINST
Many artists, performers and audiences still believe that art and commerce do not mix and that the investment from corporate business contradicts the ethos of the arts world. Many critics have highlighted concerns over the degree of control sponsors can exert over the format and even content of the exhibitions and events they support.
At the extreme end of the spectrum, some go so far as considering artists’ integrity to be tainted by association with sponsors, especially those with a questionable ethical background. Some of the critics who oppose these partnerships see corporate involvement as a means of simply promoting their business and being seen in a positive light.
An example of this opposition in action, is the ‘Art Not Oil’ exhibition that anti-oil-company pressure groups stage to coincide with the BP Portrait Award tour. The organisers state as one of their aims: “We hope you come away concerned about the way arts sponsorship diverts public attention from the systematic abuses of the oil industry.”
Whether you agree or disagree with corporate investment in art, it is difficult to deny that this funding has provided a number of positive events and awards to promote the arts. However, whether this investment is ethically agreeable is yet to be decided...
References:
Oil Sponsorship of the Arts. 2013. Oil Sponsorship of the Arts. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.tateatate.org/sponsorship.html. [Accessed 26 April 2013].
BBC News - BP pledges £10m art sponsorship. 2013. BBC News - BP pledges £10m art sponsorship. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16243960. [Accessed 26 April 2013].
Sponsorship- UK- October 2006. Mintel [JOURNAL] [Accessed 26 April 2013]
I think this is a very valid debate, but for me it is less about whether businesses invest or not and is more about the rationale of why they invest. I agree with the example above that BP's involvement is questionable as they have no links to the art industry which makes me thinks this investment is purely due to selfish publicity. However there are many companies out there for who i believe art matters. For example Sony sponsoring the World Photography awards. Sony have a direct link with the arts and photography specifcally with their cameras. In this case i feel the investment is genuine and they really promote excellence in photography as well as promoting art to youngsters. Companies like Sony should be praised.
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