Allegations of exploiting artists, mismanaging funds, and claims of financial and personal abuse surrounding Wide Open Walls are the topic of conversation at a Monday meeting. Wide Open Walls is a yearly celebration of art where murals are placed across Sacramento. The idea is to support local artists. According to a release detailing the event, the meeting at city hall will also discuss allegations of excluding Asian artists from a Lunar New Year mural project commissioned for Little Saigon in February. Artists allegedly impacted by the claims are also expected to speak at this meeting.An agenda item on the City of Sacramento’s website also acknowledges the allegations, referencing a Feb. 12 arts commission meeting where several community members addressed the Little Saigon murals.”Among the concerns cited were a lack of cultural competence and community engagement as well as artists’ selection processes and pay,” the agenda read.The city also wrote in the agenda item that it was not involved in that project, explaining that it was on private property funded by a private entity and carried out by an independent nonprofit organization.The city also mentioned that some people at the February meeting cited Sacramento’s past support of Wide Open Walls and argued that the city has some role or responsibility in addressing the organization’s actions.”That said, the themes raised during public comment do speak to the overall climate for creative vitality in Sacramento, a subject well within the purview of both the Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission and Office of Arts and Culture,” the city’s agenda item read. KCRA 3 reached out to Wide Open Walls executive director David Sobon regarding the concerns.”We want to clarify that Wide Open Walls did issue a public apology in real time via our social media platforms regarding the Lunar New Year mural incident,” Sobon said. “Since then, our Festival leadership has been actively engaging with a diverse group of artists and community leaders to learn and understand better, and to enhance our processes for the future.””We take feedback very seriously and are committed to doing better in the future,” Sobon added. “We value the voices of our community, artists, and stakeholders, and we are dedicated to continuously improving our processes to ensure inclusivity and respect for all.”See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app.
Allegations of exploiting artists, mismanaging funds, and claims of financial and personal abuse surrounding Wide Open Walls are the topic of conversation at a Monday meeting.
Wide Open Walls is a yearly celebration of art where murals are placed across Sacramento. The idea is to support local artists.
According to a release detailing the event, the meeting at city hall will also discuss allegations of excluding Asian artists from a Lunar New Year mural project commissioned for Little Saigon in February. Artists allegedly impacted by the claims are also expected to speak at this meeting.
An agenda item on the City of Sacramento’s website also acknowledges the allegations, referencing a Feb. 12 arts commission meeting where several community members addressed the Little Saigon murals.
“Among the concerns cited were a lack of cultural competence and community engagement as well as artists’ selection processes and pay,” the agenda read.
The city also wrote in the agenda item that it was not involved in that project, explaining that it was on private property funded by a private entity and carried out by an independent nonprofit organization.
The city also mentioned that some people at the February meeting cited Sacramento’s past support of Wide Open Walls and argued that the city has some role or responsibility in addressing the organization’s actions.
“That said, the themes raised during public comment do speak to the overall climate for creative vitality in Sacramento, a subject well within the purview of both the Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission and Office of Arts and Culture,” the city’s agenda item read.
KCRA 3 reached out to Wide Open Walls executive director David Sobon regarding the concerns.
“We want to clarify that Wide Open Walls did issue a public apology in real time via our social media platforms regarding the Lunar New Year mural incident,” Sobon said. “Since then, our Festival leadership has been actively engaging with a diverse group of artists and community leaders to learn and understand better, and to enhance our processes for the future.”
“We take feedback very seriously and are committed to doing better in the future,” Sobon added. “We value the voices of our community, artists, and stakeholders, and we are dedicated to continuously improving our processes to ensure inclusivity and respect for all.”
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app.
