Dunning & Partners: new intermediary between sponsors and museums

Joe Dunning, former Sotheby's executive, has launched Dunning & Partners, a company that matches corporate sponsors with cultural institutions. The firm aims to create authentic partnerships that benefit businesses, art organizations, and audiences. Dunning argues that companies should view art sponsorship as a growth strategy rather than a charitable gesture, noting that younger, diverse audiences increasingly spend on brands that reflect their values. The initiative responds to controversies like BP's sponsorship of Tate and the British Museum, which drew criticism from activists. Dunning & Partners emphasizes that the arts attract a demographic whose relative spending power will rise over the next decade, and who prioritize racial justice, sustainability, diversity, and equal opportunity.