Perth Fringe World to drop Woodside as principal sponsor after fossil fuel arts rage

Fringe World organiser Artrage has confirmed it will drop Woodside as a principal sponsor for the major Perth festival.

But while Woodside has lost its naming rights for the main festival hub, it will not quite cut all remaining funding ties.

Woodside has been a sponsor of Perth’s Fringe World since 2012.

Woodside will “transition” from a sponsor of Fringe World, one of the world’s largest fringe festivals, to a sponsor of Artrage itself, with the support to be directed towards staffing, technology, planning and donor servicing to “enable Artrage to build a robust philanthropic program” of sponsors in future.

Chief executive Sharon Burgess said the funding and in-kind support would build Artrage’s capacity so the organisation had a future source of philanthropic income.

“As the third-largest arts organisation in the state, Artrage needs to achieve its philanthropic potential so that we can become a more sustainable organisation with a diversified and balanced income portfolio,” Ms Burgess said.

“Artrage is not in the business of making political statements or taking a stance on the subject [of fossil fuel sponsorship of the arts]; we will leave that up to our artists.

“Artrage believes that it is in the best interests of all our stakeholders that we pursue funding opportunities that enable us to achieve our vision for the community.

“As a major employer in WA and a major contributor to our state’s economy, it’s right for Woodside to support an organisation like Artrage. Likewise, it’s right for Fringe World artists to be free to make their art and voice their opinions without compromise. This new partnership ... allows for both realities to exist together.”

Ms Burgess said Woodside’s support was one step towards Artrage achieving a balanced income portfolio to bolster the organisation’s core financing and ensure the long-term viability of its cultural activities including the festival, Rooftop Movies and Girls School.

“Our community derives enjoyment and employment from our activity, in particular from Fringe World Festival, but we are an organisation that needs sufficient state government and private sector support to survive and grow for the benefit of our community,” she said.

Daniel Kalms, Woodside’s senior vice president, corporate and legal, said building the capacity and capability of partner organisations underpinned Woodside’s approach to social investment.

“This new partnership will help Artrage achieve their financial sustainability goals and deliver a significant flow-on benefit for culture in the state,” he said.

“We remain committed to our long-standing association with the arts and creative sector, bringing energy and vibrancy to the West Australian community.”

Anthony Collins, a campaigner with environmental organisation 350 Perth, which has organised many of the protests against Woodside’s involvement in Fringe World over recent years, said the removal of naming rights was an important step in the right direction.

“WA’s artistic community has made its feelings known about Woodside’s involvement in the arts; they are not wanted,” he said.

“We hope that Artrage seeks to engage with artists in a genuine discussion about transitioning away from fossil fuel funding and aims to break from this new deal as soon as possible.

“I am sure Woodside offered ludicrous sums of money in order to avoid the embarrassment of losing more social licence when they need it most.

“Woodside and BHP are feeling the pressure over their highly controversial Scarborough gas project, so of course they are going to double down on attempts to greenwash, artwash and sportwash their brands right now.

“This is how corporations like Woodside work; if they have a problem, they throw money at it.”

WA artist and writer Noemie Huttner-Koros said Woodside was continuing to use the arts to maintain its social licence.

“If Fringe World and Artrage divest fully from fossil fuel sponsorship they will be aligning themselves with the world’s leading scientists such as NASA, the CSIRO and the International Energy Agency, as well as cultural and religious institutions such as the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Tate Museum and Uniting Church Australia,” she said.

“There is a huge amount of energy from local, interstate and international artists for climate justice and to be a part of a festival that reflects their values.

“The 2019-2020 bushfire season demonstrated the urgent need to move away from fossil fuels and build long-term systems and structures that support the most vulnerable.

“We have a responsibility and an opportunity here in Western Australia to take action.”