GROSS ART

03/20/2025

https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/fred-eversley-light-and-space-sculptor-dead-1234735709/
Fred was one of the kindest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. He will be missed... but his art shall live on! Fred, your ideas na perspective lives on!

Fred Eversley, a Light & Space sculptor who left his engineering job to pursue art, has died at 83.

03/20/2025

Los Angeles thrives as a global cultural hub not just because of its world-renowned institutions, but because of its vast network of small and mid-sized museums and nonprofit arts organizations. These spaces—often underrecognized—are the backbone of LA’s creative ecosystem, fostering innovation, accessibility, and diverse artistic voices.

This Hyperallergic article sheds light on their critical role: https://hyperallergic.com/997185/the-secret-life-of-los-angeles-small-museums-todd-lerew/

The LA Visual Arts Coalition (LAVA) is a great example of this collective strength, uniting organizations that shape LA’s dynamic arts landscape. Supporting these spaces means investing in the future of culture itself.

With a fair dose of whimsy, Also on View draws attention to museums off the beaten track, centering the region’s rich diasporic fabric and cultural niches.

03/14/2025

In honor of Raymond‘s archives going to the Getty, I’ve pulled up this photo by the inimitable, peripatetic, and quintessential LA photographer, Jim McHugh! Thanks Jim!

03/14/2025

https://hyperallergic.com/996133/getty-acquires-raymond-pettibon-archive/
Go Raymond!
And this quote by Matt Stromberg nails it:
"His [Pettibon's] early work was characterized by a stark graphic quality and dark, often ambiguous juxtapositions of text and image that peeled back the placid surface of American society to reveal the turmoil and violence underneath."
The turmoil and violence underneath... hmm... what's changed over the past 35 years?

The trove comprises drawings, notes, concert flyers, prints, zines, skateboards, and a surfboard, filling 28 boxes, as well as paints and materials related to the artist’s process.

03/12/2025

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/art/2025/03/11/gsa-fine-arts-layoffs-trump/

Does this seem like a good idea to anyone?
Anyone?
I can't see the logic... the reasoning behind this is questionable. (And this is me being polite.)

The fate of artworks dating to before the Civil War is uncertain after the dismissal of most workers in the General Service Administration’s fine arts and preservation units.

03/12/2025

https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/03/11/mca-chicago-anonymous-gift-10m-performance-fund

OK... this is GREAT news! It’s heartening to see individuals and organizations stepping up to fill funding gaps—especially as governmental support continues to dwindle.

But while this generosity is essential, it also raises concerns. As arts organizations become increasingly reliant on a small group of funders, they may face a quieter, more insidious pressure: self-censorship—avoiding risks that could alienate donors.

Oh wait… isn't that exactly what’s already happening with government funding? What an example. (Yes, the sarcasm is thick.)

The anonymous gift allows the museum to continue commissioning performance-art projects and expand efforts to collect and archive performances

03/11/2025

https://news.artnet.com/art-world/aclu-win-gender-ideology-nea-grant-applications-2617483

More proof of the chilling effect of government censorship.

A partial victory: NEA grant applicants are no longer required to sign an anti-gender pledge. A win? Yes—but a hollow one. The broader guidelines remain, barring funding for projects that promote gender fluidity and awareness.
The fight isn’t over, heck, it's just beginning.

Per Vera Eidelman, senior staff attorney at the ACLU:
“This gag on artists’ speech has had a ripple effect across the entire art world, from Broadway to community arts centers. Grants from the NEA are supposed to be about one thing: artistic excellence. Blocking eligibility for artists because they express a message the government doesn’t like runs directly counter to the NEA’s purpose, the First Amendment’s prohibition on viewpoint-based regulation, and the role of art in our society.”

03/10/2025

Congratulations to CCA on this incredible achievement!
Raising $45M in just 6-9 months—after facing layoffs—is a testament to strong leadership, an energized board, and a compelling vision. This kind of momentum is rare, and it raises an important question: Will this major gift campaign inspire a broader base of support?
Diversifying funding sources is key to long-term sustainability.
As CCA President David Howse put it:
"This campaign addresses the short-term challenge but doesn’t solve the long-term problem. We will move quickly into raising additional funds to invest in people, in the campus, and in our program, in order to attract more students."

This milestone is just the beginning—how would you like to see this campaign shapes CCA’s future fundraising efforts?

Jen-Hsun “Jensen” Huang has contributed half of a $45 million fundraising campaign to save the ailing California College of the Arts.

03/07/2025

https://hyperallergic.com/994175/small-arts-nonprofits-face-uncertainty-as-nea-cuts-challenge-america-grant/

I am especially concerned about the chilling impact on corporate and foundation philanthropy.

Robert Kesten, executive director of Stonewall National Museum, Archives, and Library, summarized this concern when he told Hyperallergic that the NEA’s decision to fold Challenge America “sends a message to corporate donors that they should reconsider their grantmaking.”
“That has been the biggest surprise, just how fast corporate and foundation America has closed its doors and is reducing the size and scope of the public conversation on important issues like freedom, justice, diversity, healthcare, relationships, economics, and just about everything else,” Kesten said.
Chilling.
It is time to stand up FOR the arts.

The $10K award, canceled for the 2026 fiscal year amid Trump’s anti-DEI mandates, was long seen as an entry point for receiving federal funding.

03/04/2025

https://johnsoncenter.org/blog/the-nonprofit-workforce-is-in-crisis/

​The nonprofit sector is currently facing a significant workforce crisis, with 95% of nonprofit leaders expressing concern over staff burnout and nearly 50% struggling to fill vacancies. This issue is particularly alarming for small creative nonprofits, which I believe serve as vital incubators for the next generation of artistic talent. These organizations provide essential support systems, mentorship, and resources that nurture emerging artists and ensembles, fostering innovation and cultural enrichment within our communities. Addressing the challenges faced by these nonprofits is crucial not only for the well-being of their staff but also for the continued growth and diversity of the arts.

So Join me choosing a small non-profit arts organization to support – ideally near you. It's fun and good for everyone. Seriously!

More organizations are experimenting with innovative programs and strategies for managing the nonprofit workplace wellness crisis.