A local arts museum recently completed a massive new renovation and expansion. Are we talking about the Bowers Museum? No – actually the subject of this post is the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA), in Long Beach.
Here is what the O.C. Register had to say about the new and improved MOLAA, “
“The 11-year-old museum has totally renovated its facilities, with new galleries, a 15,000-square-foot sculpture garden and a new facade designed by Mexican-American architect Manuel Rosen.
The newly refurbished museum features two expansive, 40-foot-tall rectangular arches that meet at one point, reflecting the “Bridge to the Americas” theme. The light-brown/adobe exterior is complemented by accents of blue and red, a mini-waterfall, desert landscaping and a reflection pool.”
So how do you think all of that renovation was paid for? The Long Beach Gazette reported that,”most of the funding came from private sources, including Lexus.”
Isn’t that interesting? How come the Bowers Museum can’t get by without public handouts?
While the Bowers makes do by importing mummies and Chinese artifacts, MOLAA is “the only museum in the western United States that exclusively features contemporary Latin American art.” Wow – which one do you think is more relevant to the majority of the people – and taxpayers – of Santa Ana?
Here’s the rub. The Bowers recently raised its rates to an astonishing $17 per adult during the week, and $19 on weekends. They also charge $12/14 for students, and $60 for groups of ten students, with one free adult admission for every ten students. Children under 6 are free – as are Santa Ana residents on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.
So what does MOLAA charge? How about $7.50 per adult. Only $5 for students with ID. Children under 12 are free. And everyone is free on Fridays. That’s right – everyone.
Wow. The Bowers is really ripping us off.
But wait, there’s more. Families are offered free admission to MOLAA every fourth Sunday. Target also sponsors free admission on the second Sunday of each month.
Did I mention that the Bowers is ripping us off? What a stunning contrast.
It is time to hold the Bowers board and the City of Santa Ana accountable. They have raked Santa Ana taxpayers over the coals for far too long.
MOLAA has shown us that you can have a museum that is culturally relevant to the people of Santa Ana – and it can be funded by mostly private sources. It is time to end the Bowers ripoff. It is time to let them fend for themselves and take Santa Ana taxpayers off the hook.
Art,
Great post. I drove past MOLAA earlier today and you and Bowers immediately came to mind. I have no problem with the public subsidizing of the arts, just not at the expense of other projects that are more needed for the public welfare of our city. It appears that MOLAA did things the right way, perhaps the folks at the Bowers could learn something from them.
Maybe we you get some time we can take a trip to MOLAA and have a look for ourselves. It looks like a tremendous facility and I have heard nothing but good things about it. Let me know if your interested.
Sean,
Sounds like an OJ field trip! Let’s make it happen…
I too would be interested in going.
Might be fun if we all took the bus there! Would be an interesting trip.
Firstly I am pretty sure Bowers does get funding from private sources.
Secondly, while Bowers is inthe middle of SA – Mexican culture is not the only culture in OC.
#5
But Latino culture IS the predominant culture in Santa Ana. And the Bowers is in Santa Ana. It would be nice if the Bowers could reflect that to some degree. And you gotta admit…the entrance fees are an outrage. That’s like flipping the bird to the many lower-income families in the area.
Why not put a museum like this in the old county courthouse or in the Artist’s village or better yet across Main Place so it’s easy to get to off the Freeway.
Well, I like the artwork at the Bowers. I think they’re doing a good service to greater OC… EXCEPT THAT THEY WON’T LET THE PEOPLE OF SANTA ANA SEE THE ART THAT THEY’RE PAYING FOR (unless they can afford an extra arm and leg)! Bowers has been feeding off the public trough for… Well, for forever. But what have we received in return? Exorbitantly high ticket costs while they keep asking for MORE Santa Ana money! This just isn’t fair.
MOLAA seems to be doing just fine on their own. Maybe it’s time for Bowers to kick its habit of sucking at the public teat while continuing to overcharge. There are better ways for the City of Santa Ana to promotethe arts and culture in town.
While I’m sure price may be a factor for some residents I bet that if they staged a “Lucha Libre” fight night at Bowers or had Daddy Yankee in concert they would have no problem getting $25 per person or more! It’s all about priorities. Most Santa Ana homes have cable t.v. or the dish and many have big screen and plasma T.V.’s. You might also notice a whole lot of people driving around town in gas guzzling Escalades and other SUV’s! People have the money to spend on things that interest them.
yes, it’s neighbors are predominatly Latino however, it is not the Santa Ana museum nor is it the Latino Museum. It is the Bowers Museum, and they can focus on whatever culture or type of art they want inside. If the City chooses to help fund them that is also fine, I am pretty sure most museums get some type of funding from the cities they are in. It is a benefit to the city as a whole to have the museum in their city.
I agree that the price is steep…but again it is a “specialty” museum and not in our control. If the City wants to put conditions on the $ they provide – then they should. But as of yet the City has not made those demands.
So,a museum like MOLAA in Santa Ana would have majority support.Some suggest a MOLAA type museum because Bowers does not present Latin American art exibitions.Others defend the right of Bowers to only exibit what they do (no Latin American Art)and being in a predominantly Hispanic city is irrelevant as far as they are concerned.Therefore a MOLAA type museum would be o.k. by all arguments.If you can defend one museum excluding Latin American art then you can support a museum exibiting only Latin American Art.Live and let live.Let’s work on that instead of trying to change Bowers.