The British Museum held its inaugural fundraising ball, modeled after the Met Gala, raising over £2.5 million ($3.3 million) through ticket sales and a silent auction. The event, attended by celebrities including Mick Jagger, Janet Jackson, Tracey Emin, James Norton, and Naomi Campbell, also secured a £10.3 million pledge from the Garfield Weston Foundation for the museum's Visitor Welcome Program. However, the evening was marred by controversy: a protester from Energy Embargo for Palestine gained access and demonstrated against the museum's £50 million sponsorship from BP, and Greece's culture minister Lina Mendoni criticized the museum for hosting the event near the Elgin Marbles, accusing it of disrespecting the ancient sculptures.
The controversy matters because it highlights ongoing tensions around the British Museum's corporate partnerships and its handling of contested cultural heritage. The protest against BP sponsorship reflects broader climate and ethical concerns in the art world, while Mendoni's rebuke reignites the long-standing dispute over the Parthenon Marbles, which Greece has repeatedly sought to repatriate. The event's success in raising funds for international partnerships also underscores the museum's reliance on high-profile fundraising amid debates about its governance and colonial legacies.