Tate controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2020
Tate faces protests over commercial-arm job cuts
Public backlash
Tate faced protests over job cuts in its commercial arm. Trade unions and others said the cuts would disproportionately affect Black and minority ethnic staff. A socially distanced demonstration was planned outside Tate Modern as the galleries prepared to reopen.
Tate faced protests over job cuts that trade unions and others said would disproportionately affect Black and minority ethnic staff. A socially distanced demonstration was planned outside Tate Modern as the galleries prepared to reopen.
Source excerpt
A socially distanced demonstration will take place outside Tate Modern in London on Monday as the institution welcomes back the public. As many as 200 jobs are at risk in its commercial arm – which operates retail, publishing and catering – where a higher proportion of staff are BAME, according to the PCS union.
The Tate is facing protests against job cuts that trade unions and others say will disproportionately affect black and minority ethnic staff as it reopens its doors for the first time in four months.
2012
BP sponsorship protests
Campaigners challenged Tate's acceptance of BP sponsorship, arguing that the relationship helped the oil company improve its public image and conflicted with climate concerns.
2006
Museum accreditation dispute
Tate faced criticism and regulatory pressure after declining accreditation under Museums, Libraries and Archives Council guidelines concerning deaccessioning and related collection practices.
1995
John Drewe archive-access scandal
Tate was reported to have accepted a gift from art fraudster John Drewe and allowed him access to archival material. Drewe used forged documentation connected with institutional records to support fake paintings sold as authentic modern works.
1976
Equivalent VIII controversy
Tate's acquisition of Carl Andre's Equivalent VIII became the subject of intense media criticism over public spending on contemporary art. The work was later vandalised and became popularly known as The Bricks.