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Alistair Spalding has called maintaining the relationship between Sadler’s Wells and corporate sponsor Barclays “the most difficult decision” the organisation has had to take.
The artistic director and co-chief executive, who heads up one of Britain’s best-known contemporary dance organisations, said Sadler’s Wells had been at the “sharp end” of discussions on ethical partnerships, but said: “We have to add up the sums.”
Sadler’s Wells has faced scrutiny and even protest over its connection to the bank. The ongoing sponsorship supports its Barclays Dance Pass for 16-30 year-olds, but the relationship has seen artists step away from roles at the venue.
Spalding’s comments suggest the organisation has experienced a degree of churn as a result of the situation.
In an appearance on the (Un)Common Ground podcast, he said: “We’ve had to really think about this issue quite deeply, with conversations with artists [and] with our staff.”
“A few have left what we do,” he said, “and it was after many conversations, and one thing I’ve learned is that in the end you’re never going to get everyone to agree on everything.”
Defending Sadler’s Wells position, to accept money from what the venue leader called “government-regulated organisations”, Spalding said: “It’s my responsibility to do what we do to support artists, to keep the building going, to pay staff, and to make it a good place for people to come and work.
“And then on the other side, we have to add up the sums.”
‘We have to be comfortable with it’
Spalding said in the current climate, he thought it right to “celebrate” companies willing to “come in and support the arts”, particularly when they were at risk of facing “reputational damage” as a result of increasing scrutiny.
He denied the suggestion, put to him by podcast host Tarek Iskander, that organisations might be “hiding behind austerity funding” as an “excuse” for accepting more controversial funding sources.
“The most difficult decision we’ve had to take is to keep taking the money from Barclays,” Spalding said. “It is very uncomfortable.
“We’ve had demonstrations inside, outside the theatre; we’ve had stresses on the staff, on senior management. That’s not easy.”
But, he added: “If we turned [the money] away, that would be very difficult for us. I mean, we literally couldn’t do what we’re doing right now with the four theatres… We have to be comfortable with it.”
Iskander, meanwhile, artistic director and chief executive at Battersea Arts Centre, told the podcast he had also faced tough decisions when it comes to corporate sponsorship.
“We have absolutely turned down money,” Iskander said, “and as an organisation we’re definitely poorer because of some of those choices.”
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