Damn. That sucks. Does "not giving her a budget" mean that he didn't provide any parameters, or that he refused to allot any money for her show??

Honored to follow the great Art Zifferelli.

A week ago I got this email from Tacoma Art Museum. Subject: "TAM Announces Funding for Black Artists." And inside: "Tacoma Art Museum Announces Annual Award for Regional Black Artists to Begin in 2022."

I've always had the impression that TAM has a great track record when it comes to diversity and inclusion. So why this now on top of where they already are? My sense, reading between the lines, is that TAM wanted to inoculate itself against an episode like the one we're seeing now with BAM.

Someone less tactful than I might call this a protection racket.

Which gives me the excuse to share the timeless Eric Hoffer quote: "Every great cause begins as a movement, becomes a business, and eventually degenerates into a racket."

Al Sharpton should get involved.

went to see this exhibit last week (Yellow. No.5), snd it’s great! Despite the behind-the-scenes bullshit, Waters managed to curate a great show for the public. I hope BAM’s board can do right by Waters and keep bringing this calliber of new work to their museum.

Shorter Conservatrolls:

"I don't know fuck-all about art, but I know when I should be outraged - which is pretty much any time a person of color is involved."

@8 the woke brigade version of events.

"Someone in the art world acted like a pretentious prick. Must be racism."

@10:

Which rather leads one to the obvious conclusions that: 1. As a successful gallery owner she does indeed know something about art, and; 2. if she can successfully curate a museum exhibit despite lack of funding, then she apparently knows how to do that as well.

@13: "if she can successfully curate a museum exhibit despite lack of funding"

But at what personal cost to herself? If it's common practice to fund other artists exhibiting at the BAM, then why not Waters? Exhibiting at the BAM may create schedule and funding demands that need not be dealt with at one's own gallery.

I find it reprehensible that the Stranger is providing a way for just anyone to sign on to this specious and inflammatory petition, when only those who have direct information or experience with BAM, the interactions between Mr Heywood and other artists and curators, or relevant museum funding experience should be included. He was dismissive and made Ms Waters' job harder- who hasn't worked with someone like this? and yet she pulled off a very solid exhibit that has won kudos and elevated her career. Now she's demanding a public apology for private slights, fluffing the signatory list with dozens of utterly unrelated names and DEMANDING the head of a dedicated and hugely vital arts professional who has done more to showcase diverse and challenging artists than anyone else in this region. Why? This is such an egregious example of self-immolation and grievance performance that it does more harm to her voice and more serious claims by others than solves anything. How this won't ruin her own reputation and career as she tries to destroy Mr Heywood's and BAM's will be a wonder. I sure will never step foot in her gallery.