Culture Unstained is a small campaigns, research and engagement organisation which primarily aims to end fossil fuel sponsorship of arts and cultural organisations. We work to undermine the social legitimacy oil, gas and coal companies gain from associating with leading UK cultural institutions, both by targeting specific sponsorship deals and mobilising networks of artists, workers, scientists, young people and cultural organisations who are committed to creating a Fossil Free Culture.

Since being founded in 2016, our impact has grown rapidly and fossil fuel sponsorship has become a prominent campaign within the wider climate movement. Just since 2019, we have played a decisive role in a string of high-profile campaign wins with nine of the UK’s leading cultural organisations ending long-running relationships with BP and Shell. 

Sponsorship deals with iconic museums and galleries offer fossil fuel companies an effective way of maintaining their influence and ‘social licence to operate’. But by exposing the truth and holding oil-sponsored institutions to account, we are undermining the influence that these companies have sought to buy, a necessary part of a wider societal and cultural push to make the transition away from fossil fuel dependence. 

We have markedly shaped the debate on fossil fuel sponsorship through extensive media coverage, and are seen by the media and the culture sector as the ‘go to’ organisation to comment on this issue, as well as on the wider environmental obligations of the arts sector and the challenges of ethical funding and sponsorship.

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