Can the arts be free with oil sponsorship?

In 1979, the same year that Burroughs wrote these words, the first World Climate Conference was held, calling for coordinated global action to prevent future harmful human-induced changes. Fast-forward 46 years, and the frequent record-breaking temperatures and lack of emissions cuts show that global efforts have not been sufficient. Could it be that it is precisely art we need to bring about the profound societal transformation required for this transition?

Throughout history, art and culture have played crucial roles in highlighting social issues and in reflecting the times. But is culture itself now at risk of losing its transformative power – when its leading institutions are funded through economic partnerships with the fossil fuel industry? Some argue that it is entirely legitimate for oil companies to sponsor cultural institutions on an equal footing with other businesses. Others claim that collaboration agreements with the fossil fuel sector undermine the critical space for expression that art and culture are meant to help create. Sponsorships are often also about promoting the enterprise and the cooperation in a positive light. The type of companies that cultural actors choose to collaborate with thus influence the public image of both.

Bergen International Festival has a longstanding partnership with Equinor. This has sparked reactions from the activist network Folk mot Fossilmakta (People Against Fossil Power), which has announced and carried out “peaceful but disruptive actions” during this year’s festival, with a clear demand: the Festival must commit to a plan for phasing out fossil sponsorship – and confront what Folk mot Fossilmakta refers to as “the problematic link between fossil interests and the cultural sector.”

Arguments are also made that everything in Norway is, fundamentally, financed by oil revenues and the returns on these – including grants from the Norwegian Ministry of Culture. Both cultural actors and public authorities refer to the principle of “arm’s-length distance” when it comes to public funding. The Festival itself emphasises that its sponsors have no influence over the artistic content or their freedom of expression. Some would argue that it is precisely such companies that should contribute to the common good by supporting cultural actors that benefit the public through financing artistic practice.

Can the arts be free with oil sponsorship?

Language

The talk will be held in Norwegian

Contributors

Anders Waage Nilsen moderator
Stian Davies deputy county mayor, Vestland County Council (Ap), and vice chair of the board of the Bergen International Festival
Silje Hjemdal cultural policy spokesperson and Member of Parliament, FrP
Rauand Ismail former Advisor at Norske Kulturaktører, MDG
Sissel Rinde director of information, Equinor
Frida Steinbakk nurse and spokesperson for Folk mot Fossilmakta