In a major twist and opposed to every other art institution around the world, Victoria and Albert Museum has praised Sacklers. This is after every other institution around the world have stopped accepting funds from the Sacklers.
On the contrary, London’s Victoria and Albert Museum director Tristram Hunt has said that “We’re proud to have been supported by the Sacklers.”
Other English Museums such as Tate and the National Portrait Gallery have already cut off ties with the Sackler family which is behind Purdue Pharma. This is on the basis that Purdue Pharma is alleged to have gained profit from the crisis that it has created in the US called the opioid epidemic.
There have been many lawsuits regarding this as well as the pressure from Nan Goldin’s P.A.I.N group seems to have worked for most of the institutions. P.A.I.N group is also known to have staged a “die-in” protest which is a way to resemble the crisis that was created by the Sackler family.
Hunt noted that he respects the move by Sackler family to temporarily cease the philanthropic giving. However, Hunt also mentions that “We take all these ethical issues very seriously. It goes to our audit committee, we discuss it in detail, and we respect the Sackler view into the future,”
Also, the Sackler Centre which is an arts education centre along with a courtyard named after the Sackler family is still maintained. Hunt also announced an initiative by the museum to support design and tech programs in England.
On the question of whether Dame Theresa Sackler should remain on board of trustees, Hunt said that “She is a fit person to be a trustee. The Sackler family do dispute much of what is in the courts… We’re proud to have been supported by the Sacklers.” which is completely against everyone’s opinion right now.
Source: BBC Sounds
