In an extraordinary act of defiance, staff at the Western Australian Museum have collectively challenged their own management's decision to partner with fossil fuel giant Woodside Energy.
The controversy erupted when an email, sent from a generic staff account to all museum employees, declared that "almost all of us are guilty" of complicity in burning fossil fuels. The message served as a stark rebuttal to an official internal communication that had defended the controversial sponsorship deal.
A Divided Institution
The internal rift became public when the dissenting email, obtained by Guardian Australia, laid bare the deep ethical concerns among museum professionals. The staff-authored message argued that cultural institutions must not provide "social licence" to companies whose operations contribute significantly to climate change.
This unprecedented move highlights the growing tension between traditional funding models and the ethical imperatives of the climate crisis era. Museum workers appear to be taking a stand against what they perceive as the greenwashing of corporate reputations through arts partnerships.
The Woodside Partnership
The sponsorship agreement between the Western Australian Museum and Woodside, one of Australia's largest oil and gas producers, has been a point of contention since its announcement. Management argues such partnerships are essential for funding major exhibitions and programmes.
However, the staff email presents a counter-narrative, suggesting that the moral cost outweighs the financial benefit. The authors question the integrity of an institution dedicated to natural history and science accepting funding from a company whose core activities threaten those very subjects.
Broader Implications for Cultural Funding
This incident reflects a wider global debate about ethical sponsorship in the arts and cultural sectors. Institutions worldwide are facing increasing pressure from both staff and the public to reconsider partnerships with fossil fuel companies, arms manufacturers, and other contentious industries.
The WA Museum staff rebellion signals a potential watershed moment for museum ethics and governance, demonstrating that employees are no longer willing to remain silent about funding sources they believe compromise their institution's values and mission.
