About us
Who we are
Culture Unstained is a campaigns and investigations organisation which primarily works to end fossil fuel sponsorship of culture, undermining the industry’s ‘social licence to operate’. We believe that targeting cultural sponsorship gets to the core of challenging the disruptive role of the fossil fuel industry in our politics, society and culture.
We work to end the social legitimacy and cultural power the fossil free industry currently gains from its involvement in culture and art – most visibly by sponsoring museums, galleries and other arts organisations – in order to bring about a world where cultural organisations draw an ethical red line and proudly reject funding and other ties to those involved in fuelling the climate crisis.
Over the last decade, we have made cultural spaces into some of the most visible battlegrounds for a showdown between people and polluters. We have spearheaded headline-grabbing campaigns that have mobilised new networks of artists, workers and youth activists, and led to major wins, including the end of Shell and Equinor’s partnerships with the Science Museum and BP’s sponsorship of the Royal Opera House and The British Museum’s major exhibitions. In 2025, as a result of our track record of success and ongoing advocacy work, the Museums Association trade body passed a new Code of Ethics which now expects museums to ‘transition away from’ fossil fuel sponsorship.
Our culture and values
We adopt an intersectional, rather than single-issue approach, to our campaigns and are committed to climate justice. This means joining the dots between fossil fuel sponsorship, militarisation, frontline struggles, decolonisation and restitution campaigns, and Palestinian liberation.
As a Workers’ Co-operative, we all participate in decisions relating to overarching strategy and working conditions.
Equality, diversity and inclusion policy
We believe in climate, racial, social, economic and gender justice and the interconnectedness between all these, and attempt to envision and embody a more just world through our work. We believe cultural organisations, the climate movement and our own organisation must commit to the process of decolonisation, recognising that it will be an ongoing process of confronting and addressing forms of systemic racism and oppression where they exist.
We particularly welcome applications from marginalised groups, especially people of colour and other ethnic minorities, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, Disabled people and those who identify as working class or have done so in the past. If we can offer support with the application process please do get in touch. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align fully with the job description, we’d love you to apply anyway. Please contact us if you require any support or adjustments for you to navigate this application process.
