Pressure on arts sector to cut Russian ties

Arts organisations are facing pressure to cut ties to Russian funders and partners, a knee-jerk response that presents at least a short term challenge for the sector.

Cancellations of Russian performances have grown in recent days and more artists are voicing their support for Ukraine during the invasion. English National Opera performed the Ukrainian national anthem before its performance of La Boheme on Sunday (February 27), arts buildings along London's South Bank were lit in the blue-and-yellow of the Ukranian flag, and the Museums Association is calling on its members to commission Ukranian artists and curators.

It is also suggesting museums "consider the ethical implications of any [exhibition] loans to the Russian Federation or sponsorship from the Russian Federation" after MP Chris Bryant, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Russia, called for cultural sanctions.

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"Putin supporters should be removed from our cultural institutions and galleries and museums should run a mile from blood-drenched Russian money," Bryant said.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries has urged cultural sanctions, calling on UNESCO to bar Russia from hosting the world heritage conference in June: "If it does go ahead, the UK will not be attending."

"Culture and sport can be equally as effective as economic sanctions if used in the right way," she said Thursday (March 3).

Edinburgh International Festival removed conductor Valery Gergiev as Honorary President after he failed to denounce Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Tate has faced questions about energy oligarch Viktor Vekselberg, who is an honorary member of the Tate Foundation due to his past donations.

And on Tuesday (March 1), The Royal Academy announced Russian billionaire Petr Aven, also a Tate donor, would step down as trustee over his ties to the Kremlin, for which he has been sanctioned by the EU.

The Charities Commission has cautioned charities to "know their donors, and consider whether or not to accept donations, including where there may be a reputational implication for them in doing so". Arts Council England Chief Executive Darren Henley told MPs on Tuesday there could be "challenges" around objections to Russian money, but said he was not aware of any organisations in particular that would be affected.

He characterised the response as part of a larger post-pandemic shift in approaches to arts philanthropy.

"Yes, I think there are potentially challenges for income streams from high net worth individuals across the piece and we are working with that to try and understand how that's going to play out.

"Often it’s quite short term and decisions can change from week to week but it would be fair to say there are challenges for philanthropy in London, but actually across the country as well."

Russian crackdown

Russian State Opera – a UK company – has changed its name amid the crackdown on Russian arts.

Now Amande Concerts, the company had planned performances in Eastbourne and Blackburn cancelled on Tuesday. It features an international cast including Russian members and performs ballet and opera from Eastern Europe and Russia.

It compared itself to English National Ballet: "The brand name only relates to the geographical location of the performing artists. Amande Concerts Ltd, does not receive any public or commercial money from Russian organisations."

The name Russian State Opera was an "umbrella" for the former Soviet countries whose art forms the company represents

"We understand the potential for confusion this name causes, but there is no link between Amande Concerts to the Russian ‘state’ as a political entity."

Royal Moscow Ballet has also had performances in Wolverhampton, Northampton and Derry cancelled despite receiving no funding or sponsorship from the Russian government.

Like Amande, its company is comprised of artists of several nationalities.

"We don’t carry any political message on this tour. We simply dance for peace," a statement from the company said.

Rallying cry

The European cultural community rallying to protect Ukraine's art and cultural heritage from further harm after the Ivankiv folk art museum was burned down.

International arts organisation Getty condemned the attack, and the European Theatre Convention has started a petition to continue artistic collaborations "at all costs".

"Over the past decade we have developed deep ties with counterpart organisations in Ukraine – supporting ongoing dialogue and artistic exchange, a thriving democracy, and long-term collaboration," it reads.

"Our organisations are ready to receive and host artists, to stage performances, to organise events, to inform and facilitate access to resources, to advocate for a peaceful solution."

Many major cultural institutions in Ukraine have already moved their collections into storage to keep them out of Russian hands.

Fedir Androshchuk, Director of the National Museum of History in Kyiv, wrote on Twitter that the Russian assault was not just on Ukraine's sovereignty, but its cultural identity.

"The threat of the National Museum of History and other museums being looted or destroyed by enemy fire is very real."