From NIAD’s Director: Open Letter to SFMOMA

Embedded in NIAD’s tagline, “Redefining Contemporary Art,” is a mission to help build a more inclusive contemporary art world. One way we do this is by building partnerships – in Richmond, the Bay Area, and worldwide.

Our partnership with SFMOMA has been an especially important one. Marlon Mullen received the SECA Award in 2019 and as I write this, NIAD studio artists are preparing to unveil two collaborative murals on August 14 and 15 at the museum’s Mini Mural Festival. SFMOMA is a meaningful entry point for NIAD studio artists’ visibility and success.

However, at this time we are seeing SFMOMA walk backward from the programs and policies that create sustainable access and opportunity for the thriving, representative communities that make our region a leader in the arts.

We at NIAD mourn the prospective loss of SFMOMA’s film program, Open Space magazine, and the SFMOMA Artists Gallery at Fort Mason. We acknowledge, too, that we are adding our voices late to a conversation many others have worked to elevate for weeks and months – but we believe it is not too late. 

We urge SFMOMA to reverse its decision to cut the programs that serve artists best and to show up for the Bay Area arts community in a way that is robust and long-term, that responds to this moment and the opportunity to change, and that helps to define responsible leadership in the arts. 

In community,
Amanda