Scotland’s national galleries refuse to drop sponsor over ‘Israel links’

National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) has become the latest organisation to defy calls from activists to dump Baillie Gifford as a sponsor, insisting that taking cash from the firm was ethical.

A series of high-profile arts bodies and events have cut ties with the Edinburgh-based investment firm following boycott demands from campaigners angered by its alleged links to fossil fuel firms and Israel’s war in Gaza.

However, NGS, which runs four galleries in Edinburgh as one of the UK’s largest cultural institutions, has refused to capitulate, saying private sector funding was essential to deliver its altruistic aims.

NGS is following the lead of the Edinburgh Fringe, which declined to sever links with Baillie Gifford, as part of a growing backlash to so-called “divestment” campaigns, with one arts body calling the pressure “intolerable”.

“After a lot of thought and consideration, the National Galleries of Scotland plans to continue our relationship with Baillie Gifford,” said Anne Lyden, who has been director-general of NGS since January.

“We understand that this is a complex issue, and there are many differing views, but we are confident that the funding we receive from Baillie Gifford meets our strong ethical standards.”

Ms Lyden added: “As a cultural organisation the National Galleries of Scotland offers a space for artists to share experiences and perspectives with others, encouraging discussion and understanding of the world we live in.

“This is one of the main ways we can positively impact society, but it needs to be funded.

“We deliver a world-class programme of exhibitions, events, engagement and outreach which just wouldn’t be possible without support from partners like Baillie Gifford.”

Fossil Free Books

A campaign called Fossil Free Books has claimed Baillie Gifford has links to Israel’s military campaign and criticised investments in oil and gas firms, and has urged cultural bodies to tear up sponsorship deals with it.

In May, the Edinburgh International Book Festival said it reluctantly ended a 20-year relationship with the firm due to “intolerable” pressure.

Last year’s book festival was overshadowed by Greta Thunberg cancelling a planned appearance, in a “greenwashing” row centred on Baillie Gifford . Some events that did go ahead were hit by walk-outs.

The singer Charlotte Church and some Labour politicians have also backed the Fossil Free Books campaign, which has also seen events such as the Hay Festival lose sponsorship revenue from Baillie Gifford.

Baillie Gifford has insisted it has been unfairly targeted, saying it invests far more in green energy companies than in fossil fuel companies.

It has claimed that accusations that it was a large investor in occupied Palestinian territories were “seriously misleading”.

First Minister’s support

Last month John Swinney, the First Minister, backed the firm and accused climate activists of damaging Scotland’s cultural events by making “misplaced” demands on organisers to reject sponsorship deals.

The Edinburgh Fringe said it would be sticking with Baillie Gifford as a sponsor, and remained “enormously grateful” for its support.

Shona McCarthy, the Fringe Society’s chief executive, warned of a “fevered environment” in which the arts were becoming a “very unattractive proposition” for the private sector to support.

Tom Jeffreys, a writer and Fossil Free Books organiser, said last week the fact that nine literary festivals and three art galleries were no longer receiving funding from Baillie Gifford as a result of the divestment campaign were “victories”.

He added: “Our work will not stop until we achieve a books industry free from the profits of fossil fuels and the arms industry.”

Nick Thomas of Baillie Gifford accused activists of an “anonymous campaign of coercion and misinformation” which has led to reduced funding for the UK arts.