To: The Board of The Irish Museum of Modern Art

Public Art, Public Values: IMMA Must Divest

Dear friends, artists, and supporters,

IMMA (Irish Museum of Modern Art) is a cultural institution deeply valued by artists and the community. Right now, some of its listed partnerships and sponsorships conflict with the principles of social and environmental justice that programs like IMMA’s Earth Rising festival celebrate. 

We have an opportunity to ask IMMA to align its funding and partnerships with the values it promotes, leading by example and showing that ethical practices and positive change are possible. By signing this petition, you add your voice to a growing call for accountability and justice.

Our Message to IMMA’s Leadership

To Ali Curran (Chairperson) and the IMMA Board Members:

Rhoda Lane-O'Kelly, John McLaughlin, John Cunningham, Mike Fitzpatrick, Jess Majekodunmi, Sinéad O’Sullivan, Gerard Byrne, Mary Apied, Dermod Dwyer, Eva Kenny

As the people with the power to shape IMMA’s direction, and the chance to stand on the right side of history, we call on you to:

  • Immediately suspend partnerships with Hennessy (LVMH) and Soho House pending review, and remove the outdated BNP Paribas sponsorship from IMMA’s website

  • Publicly commit to supporting the principles of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement and become an Apartheid Free Zone

  • Update policies to address all types of conflict-related funding and seek guidance from human rights law experts.

  • Publish a transparent timeline for implementing these changes

Why is this important?

The question of Palestine is directly connected to our responsibilities. Ireland’s recognition of Palestinian statehood in May 2024 reflects its commitment to international law, human rights, and the principle of self-determination. When Irish cultural institutions accept funding from entities involved, directly or indirectly, in settlement expansion, weapons manufacture, or surveillance against Palestinian civilians, they contradict these principles and the values of the Irish public who fund them.

No Climate Justice Without Social Justice

Three of the corporate partners listed on IMMA’s website are problematic:
Hennessy’s parent company, LVMH, has been linked to human rights violations and environmental harm, including deforestation, carbon-intensive supply chains, and forced labour. 
Soho House is a global network of private membership clubs for people in the creative industries. It operates a club in Tel Aviv, Jaffa, which has been documented to displace Palestinian communities.

BNP Paribas. Although the partnership ended in 2019, the company remains listed as a sponsor of The Freud Circle on IMMA’s website, lending legitimacy to its practices. BNP Paribas finances fossil fuel projects, invests heavily in companies supporting illegal settlements in Palestine and has purchased shares in Israeli weapons manufacturers. All of this contributes to both climate and human rights harm. Removing misleading or outdated sponsor listings is a necessary step toward transparency and accountability.

IMMA Policy Framework Opportunities

IMMA’s draft ethical policy is a welcome step, but it must go further by addressing financing as well as manufacturing of weapons, banning ties to settlement infrastructure, and explicitly excluding partners linked to human rights abuses or the war economy.

Can A Public Institution Divest?

Yes. There are clear precedents in Ireland:

Dublin City University was the first Irish university to divest from fossil fuels in 2015, setting a precedent for ethical investment policies in higher education
Trinity College Dublin achieved full institutional divestment, proving that large national institutions can successfully navigate such transitions while meeting statutory obligations
University Galway has also divested from fossil fuels, and both DCU and GU have divested from all association with Israel
Cork City Council and South Dublin County Council have both declared themselves an Apartheid Free Zone, proving that public institutions can act within existing statutory frameworks

IMMA’s COMMITMENT

Director Annie Fletcher wrote in last year’s Earth Rising Impact Report:

“IMMA's role as a catalyst for social progress and cultural innovation is perfectly reflected in Earth Rising. It aligns with our five-year strategy to foster dialogue, inclusion, and creativity while encouraging urgent action to protect the planet and build a more sustainable world.”

We welcome this commitment. Now is the time to turn those words into action.

Add your voice.

Sign the petition below to encourage IMMA to reflect the values of justice, human rights, and environmental responsibility in its partnerships.

How it will be delivered

Digital and in-person delivery.

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