Events and partnerships

Cultural Partnerships

The sheer vitality of the visual and performing arts adds a crucial spark to all our lives . Our strategy is to have long term partnerships with a small number of outstanding institutions, enabling them to plan programmes as well as secure artists and artwork well into the future. New performances, exhibitions, special events, awards, grants, lectures and access to works of art are all made possible by our support.

Our partnership takes various forms: substantial contracts extending over several years, annual corporate memberships – and, most of all, enthusiastic support for our partners’ plans and aspirations. We are proud to be associated with the British Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, the Royal Opera House and Tate Britain, and to be a corporate member of the Almeida Theatre. All this is part of our broader contribution to society – promoting ideas, inspiring creativity and supporting the social and economic fabric of the UK.

British Museum

The British Museum is the UK's most popular cultural institution with over six million visitors a year.
National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery's annual BP Portrait Award is the world's most prestigious competition of its kind...
Royal Opera House

The Royal Opera House has a legendary reputation for its outstanding interpretations of opera and ballet.
Tate Britain

For 20 years we have partnered Tate Britain - principally through our support of the BP British Art Displays
London 2012

In the summer of 2012, London will host the Olympic and Paralympic Games and BP will be at centre stage throughout

Cultural Programmes

Our support touches the lives of millions of people worldwide - enabling them to enjoy the best in arts and culture.

Each year over 1.4 million people attend a BP supported event at one of our partner institutions. Some 850,000 adults and 50,000 children visit the BP British Art Displays at Tate Britain. At the National Portrait Gallery, London, the BP Portrait Award is its most popular exhibition with 280,000 people visiting it either in London or on tour. The BP special exhibition Hadrian: Empire and Conflict at the British Museum attracted over 200,000 visitors – far more than anticipated. In addition, around 41,000 people in venues throughout the UK enjoy live relays of opera and ballet from the Royal Opera House on the BP Summer Big Screens.

That's just the tip of the iceberg because through touring exhibitions, educational and outreach programmes, plus the internet, many more people can tap into some of the UK's best artistic and cultural experiences.