The British Museum's inaugural fundraising gala on Saturday, October 18, was disrupted by a protester calling for the institution to end its controversial financial partnership with oil giant BP. The star-studded event, which attracted prominent artists, art world figures, politicians, and celebrities, was interrupted when an unnamed woman gained access to the museum's Great Court and staged a demonstration on stage.

The protester, who accessed the venue through her role as a waitress according to The Art Newspaper, appeared on stage next to George Osborne, chair of the museum's board of trustees. She held a sign reading "DROP BP NOW" and criticized the museum for accepting what she described as a $67 million sponsorship from "an oil and gas company that is causing climate collapse and actively enabling the genocide in Gaza." During the disruption, Osborne appeared to nod politely while some audience members responded with boos.

The demonstration was organized by Energy Embargo for Palestine, a British-based organization that posted video footage of the incident on its Instagram account. The group specifically targeted the museum's financial arrangements with fossil fuel companies and their alleged connections to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

The protester also called out the wealthy Ambani family, who owns Reliance Industries, a major oil, gas, and surveillance company based in India. Isha Ambani, daughter of Mukesh Ambani who serves as chairman of Reliance, was a co-chair of the gala. Isha Ambani has served as director of the company's retail division since 2014, making the family's prominence at the event particularly significant for the protesters.

The timing of the protest was notable as Reliance Industries and the Reliance Foundation served as main sponsors of the exhibition "Ancient India: Living Traditions," which had been on display at the British Museum since spring and closed the following day on Sunday, October 19. The exhibition provided the inspiration for the gala's pink theme, which drew from "the colors and light of India."

Tickets for the exclusive fundraising event were priced at $2,700 each, with ticket sales alone raising over $2.7 million to support the museum's international partnerships. The evening also featured a silent auction with unique lots including a pet portrait by artist Tracey Emin and a private tour of Coco Chanel's Parisian apartment, though proceeds from the auction portion have not yet been announced.

The British Museum has faced mounting pressure over its decade-long financial agreement with BP, announced in 2023, which will provide $67 million in funding over ten years. Museum officials have defended the partnership as necessary to "safeguard the museum for future generations," but artists and academics have increasingly called for the institution to sever ties with the oil and gas company.

The controversy reflects broader debates within the art world about corporate sponsorship, particularly from fossil fuel companies, as cultural institutions grapple with balancing funding needs against ethical concerns about climate change and environmental responsibility. The protest highlights the ongoing tension between museums' financial requirements and growing activist pressure to reject funding from companies linked to environmental and social issues.