In a recent announcement, the British Museum has unveiled plans for a monumental 10-year, £1bn redevelopment project, with a significant portion of funding—£50m—coming from a partnership with BP. This collaboration marks the largest single donation to the UK's cultural sector, specifically designated for the architectural renovation of galleries housing precious artifacts from ancient civilizations.

The museum's "masterplan" aims at a comprehensive overhaul of its Bloomsbury premises in central London, promising a transformative redesign of the entire collection display. Despite the ambitious nature of the project, campaigners have sharply criticized the association with BP, accusing the energy giant of attempting to whitewash its environmental record.

Chris Garrard, co-director of Culture Unstained, labeled the deal as "astonishingly out of touch" and "completely indefensible," vowing formal challenges from campaigners. The sentiment is echoed by activist groups like BP or Not BP?, emphasizing the incongruity of partnering with a major polluter in the current climate awareness era.

Greenpeace's Doug Parr voiced concerns about the British Museum's decision, highlighting the broader trend of arts and culture organizations distancing themselves from big oil sponsors. BP has, in recent years, faced severed ties with institutions such as the National Portrait Gallery, Tate, and the Royal Opera House.

The museum defended its choice, citing the urgent need for renovation and the necessity of corporate and private donations to facilitate such a massive modernization effort. Trustees, chaired by former Conservative chancellor George Osborne, unanimously approved the BP sponsorship in June, acknowledging personal disagreements among some trustees.

The announcement follows a period of turbulence for the British Museum, marred by the theft of up to 1,500 artifacts, leading to the resignation of its director, Hartwig Fischer. The institution faces ongoing restitution claims, including the contentious Parthenon marbles dispute.

Notably, the BP sponsorship revelation coincided with the museum's plans for a new energy center, signaling a commitment to phase out fossil fuels within its estate. The institution aims to remain open throughout the redevelopment, distinguishing its approach from others, like the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, which closed for a decade during renovations.

Despite criticisms, BP's chair, Louise Kingham, expressed pride in the partnership, emphasizing the company's longstanding commitment to Britain. Charlie Mayfield, the chair of the museum's masterplan committee, hailed the collaboration as essential for refurbishing the institution's aging buildings, framing it as a pivotal step forward in realizing their ambitious plans.