Abstract
This chapter extends our understanding of the intriguing and underexplored interface of creativity and politics at the collective level of analysis by examining the case of Liberate Tate, a team formed by artists and activists to protest the sponsorship of Tate, a group of famous British art galleries, by the oil corporation British Petroleum. This team staged controversial unsanctioned live art performances in Tate’s spaces over 6 years until the oil giant finally backed away from its sponsorship deal. Our purpose in this chapter is to offer an empirical account of the close links between creativity, art, and activism. Our theoretical contribution consists in providing a contextually sensitive theorization of the mechanisms that made Liberate Tate a successful creative political intervention. In broader terms, our analysis illustrates how a relatively small team can tap into the power of creativity to successfully confront and make accountable powerful institutions and corporations, and to catalyze society-wide resonance on critical environmental and social issues.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
