Sydney Festival announces halt to sponsorships by foreign government sponsorships

Following a boycott by artists and audiences at this year’s event, the Sydney Festival has advised that it will no longer accept sponsorships or similar funding from foreign governments,

Controversy erupted earlier this year after the Festival’s decision to accept $20,000 from the Israeli Embassy to support a Sydney Dance Company performance led by Israeli choreographer, Ohad Naharin.

The decision to suspend investment by international governments and their cultural agencies follows an independent review commissioned by the Sydney Festival Board.

The study canvassed opinions from about 50 stakeholders including artists, partners, employees, its own leadership team and board, as well as other festivals and arts bodies.

Announcing the results of the review this week, Sydney Festival Chair, David Kirk reported that because the Festival’s sponsorships were varied and complex there was a need to improve policies and procedures surrounding the arrangements.

As a result, the organisation will also develop a new Funding and Sponsorship Charter to evaluate all future opportunities. Once it is in place, the Sydney Festival will revisit the role of international government sponsorship in the annual arts event.

The review also suggested a re-evaluation of the Festival’s crisis management policies and procedures to ensure they address impacts on all stakeholders.

Acknowledging that events leading up to and during the 2022 Festival could have been better managed to minimise stress on artists, employees, partners, supporters and the wider community, Kirk advised in a statement “we sincerely apologise to all those affected

“We have listened to what was said, and we are acting on key findings.”

Kirk also pointed out that its review concluded there was a recognition that events this January could have happened to any other arts organisation.

He added “it has shown that there is appetite for a broader conversation about sources of financial support for the arts in Australia. Sydney Festival looks forward to being part of that wider discussion.”

In December 2021, artists and producers engaged for the January 2022 festival began withdrawing after it was revealed the festival had accepted a $20,000 sponsorship from the Israeli embassy.

Click here to view the Sydney Festival's statement.