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Losing long-term sponsors: crises or opportunities?

It’s often said that all good things must pass. But how many positives can you draw from the end of a major arts partnership?

18 Oct 2022 16:58

Jo Pickup

a graphic of two small bloack human figures with briefcases walking away from each other against a yellow background

All Arts

Are there signs an arts partner is about to walk away? And what are your next steps? Image: afry harfy via shutterstock.

Last week, Perth Festival announced its 18-year partnership with energy company Chevron will end after the 2023 festival, and this morning, Santos announced it is walking away from its sponsorship of Darwin Festival’s opening night after a concerted campaign by Fossil Free Arts NT and NT Traditional Owners against the partnership.

Perth Festival’s Executive Director Nathan Bennett said Chevron’s decision to end its support of the Festival did not come as a surprise, and that, regardless of any speculation to the contrary, the move was not linked to community backlash against Chevron as in the case of the Santos/Darwin Festival partnership.

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Jo Pickup

ArtsHub's Arts Feature Writer Jo Pickup is based in Perth. An arts writer and manager, she has worked as a journalist and broadcaster for media such as the ABC, RTRFM and The West Australian newspaper, contributing media content and commentary on art, culture and design. She has also worked for arts organisations such as Fremantle Arts Centre, STRUT dance, and the Aboriginal Arts Centre Hub of WA, as well as being a sessional arts lecturer at The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).