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the winner of the 2020 artwash award is…

15 December 2020

rio tinto came out on top and defeated woodside and chevron in 2020


the winner of the 2020 artwash award is… rio tinto

rio tinto came out on top and defeated woodside and chevron in 2020.  the poll revealed a massive 61% swing to rio tinto. 

watch the announcement and award delivery

the artwash award recognises the mining industries’ contribution to arts sponsorship as part of a highly effective p.r. strategy of laundering their own social responsibility, whilst at the same time, dodging tax, lobbying against climate change policies and emitting around 64 million tonnes of greenhouse gases into the air each year. 

quite an achievement!

the project hopes to open up a difficult conversation and discussion about what the future of arts funding and sponsorship might look like. 

how do the arts wean themselves off unethical sponsorship at a time when government arts funding has reached a critical low point? what are the alternative sources of income available? do mining companies latch onto a better reputation by association with the arts?  given that we are all complicit in this situation, how can we work together towards a more sustainable future for us all?

this year’s trophy designer is tarryn gill 

read more on the artwash award here

read our frequently asked questions here

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