I was horrified to hear this on many levels. So much of the museum's time and money must have gone into planning this exhibition. For an institution always looking for donations and grants, this is an abuse of finances. Securing loans from other institutions isn't easy and often is the result of years of building relationships-- to cancel after securing is flagrant. Why couldn't the next show feature an artist who is a person of color? To base exhibitions on a person's skin color is not diversity...
The City should not waste any more taxpayer money on this project... much better option would be to sell the property to the highest bidder, who would then quite likely return the property to its original splendor, in an efficient and tasteful manner. The City could then use those much-needed proceeds to repair and improve the rest of the city parks that the residents actually use. Not to mention the current ongoing City costs that would cease (full-time onsite caretaker, repairs and maintenance, etc etc).
Agree that this is an appalling development for SB, and that your decision to adjust a gift is appropriate. The City needs to discontinue funding all of these organizations at least until the housing/homeless crisis is solved. There is sufficient opportunity for private corporate and other public funding of the Arts in SB and those donors can waste their time ignoring art for the sake of politics and DEI if they want to. That is the beauty of America!
Samarkand, in my experience one man’s quota can legitimately be seen as another’s racism/sexism/ageism and that in this free country it is always appropriate to express your opinion… even if someone disagrees or it deviates from what the cool kids, or those who think they are, consider “appropriate”.
To me it’s just sad to see a respected institution get dragged into the mud. But maybe they have bigger donors who want to exclude art based on revisionist thinking or figure they can extort it from the City.
But mostly it makes me sad for the City to waste money on this form of elitism especially when political agendas are played through it - especially while there are people pooping in the bushes of the Museum property and elsewhere around town.
Mecca Sports Bar, 512 N Milpas St, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Wishing each and every one of you a safe and uneventful weekend. All of the latest evacuation warnings and updates can be found here: https://www.countyofsb.org/4135/February-2024-Storm
Take good care of yourselves and your neighbors - the enduring values of compassion and perspective have historically served our city well through moments of real crisis.
The Coral reopened but only to ultra rich that could afford $2,500 a month. The community that supported it for so many years have been left out so that the greedy owner could visit his elite friends when he flys in from Chicago and not have to see the local riff raff.
Talent, Talent, Talent - Not Color, Race or Sexual Orientation - DE & I is Racism Woke Crap!!!
I believe the 3rd Window owner's husband is related to the Neiman Ranch family, so that'll be the reason for the high quality meat, they get a really good deal on beef
Talent, Talent, Talent - Not Color, Race or Sexual Orientation - DE & I is Racism !!!
Thank you for your wise re-evaluation of donated funds to the Whitney Museum, a worthy recipient, instead of SBMA. As a former supporter of SBMA , and resident of SB for over forty years, I applaud your vocalizing sound intellect and dismay at the decisions and direction in which SBMA has revealed. Major donor Wright S. Ludington, amongst so many others, would be devasted to see their beloved Museum of Art and its ideals distorted due to politics.
Another museum (the Huntington?) should schedule this show and publish the catalogue. It’s important and I’d love to see it. Shocking that a 15-year employee can be treated so shabbily.
My family had planned to donate $1 million to the SBMA to help support blockbuster exhibitions in Santa Barbara. However, we are appalled by these recent developments. It’s bewildering that the SBMA dismissed Eik to collaborate with Janka from MCA to support an unknown LA artist. According to public records from the city arts commission minutes, Janka has been diverting city grant money to the MCA while serving as head of the commission, a position that should involve recommending grants in an unbiased, non-self serving manner to local arts non-profits. Instead, the funds appear to be benefiting him and his cronies. It’s also public record that the MCA indeed received $18,000 from the city to “combat white patriarchy” while he was serving on the committee, denying other deserving non-profits. Meanwhile, Cruz is promoting this highly questionable individual but terminated Eik, citing “diversity issues.” In light of these actions, we’ve decided to redirect our donation to the Whitney Museum, rather than supporting the SBMA. The situation is truly disheartening.
We’ve been able to walk around the corner to Via Vai for our 30 years of living here. It’s been our go-to family restaurant. We are personally devastated by its closure and deeply saddened by what it represents regarding the direction in which Montecito is going.
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Agreed, they don't even need to bury their rationale any more as long as they feel they are on the moral "correct side" in their estimation. California is gone folks..beyond the breach and over the falls for at least 15 years. Out when I retire...wish it was sooner!
Eik Kahng is a SB treasure. What a travesty!
Not diverse enough? I thought art was based on talent not skin color . I hope State Street does become like the SF tenderloin and surrounding area. Disgusting
This is such nonsense. What does inclusive even mean. So woke. Very disturbing.
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their DNA.”
― Martin Luther King Jr. (probably)
The density of Irvine is actually higher than that of SB.
"immense harm upon minorities"...LOL
She’s “Cuban” as much as Elizabeth Warren is Cherokee. No one can verify her true background or story. She is exploited the academic system just like Elizabeth Warren. She “immigrated” to America at nine months old. Can we see the evidence and the evidence of her “brown-ness?” Or is this just her family folklore, similar to Elizabeth Warren? She is an outsider without a clear story or clear background check. Let’s see a DNA test.
Just because she was born in Cuba does not mean she is not white. She is a white woman born in Cuba, and her birthplace does not negate her racial identity. Being born in Cuba doesn’t automatically mean someone is not white. My white friend was born in Singapore. Perhaps you should consider avoiding assumptions based on birthplace. This is clearly a white woman exploiting diversity, while creating immense harm upon minorities.
Want to visit Bellosguardo
NIMBY's stop your kvetching and realize that density is good for Santa Barbara. People living, working and finding entertainment within walking distance keeps them off the freeway and our city from becoming Irvine.
