Sorry for the bit of politics. Dear Friends, It seems the United States wants to fund it's pernicious war in Iraq, at the expense of closing down it's own cultural institutions at home (among many other things of course). I some how don't get it. Sorry friends! with that sort of a strategy you already lost that war before it's even over. The moment you start to close down your houses of culture at home to fund war abroad, the barbarians are already installed in your backyards. I am neither a Republican nor a Democrat, I do not even vote in the United States, I do not have a voice in what goes on in your country other than it is populated with a lot of very dear and good friends, people who I respect and admire very much. People who have contributed to world culture in small or large measures and who enrich our lives and make this planet a more respectful place to live in. Out of gratitude towards them and out of the need to see that their contributions may continue flowing unabatted, I am taking the liberty to send you, our readers of ZoneZero, this email so that you consider to help saving the California Museum of Photography in Riverside from being closed down because of budgetary cuts, by writing the Chancellor according to the letter as mentioned below. Please read the full report by Jonathan Green, Director of the Museum, so that you can judge for yourself what the facts are. Respectfully yours, Pedro Meyer Photographer and Publisher ZoneZero ================================================= Dear Friends, Today I sent the following letter to Chancellor Córdova. I urge you to take a minute to also write to her asking her to review and reverse the announced cuts which will essentially close down the museum. Her email is [email protected]. I know that over the years UCR/CMP has enriched the community and the university and has been a strong component in the intellectual and cultural life of Riverside and Southern California. I ask you to voice your support and help retain this important institution. Cheers, Jonathan ================================================= Sent April 13, 2004: Dear France, Since its beginning over 30 years ago UCR/California Museum of Photography has provided students at the university and scholars from around the world with a world class academic and exhibition program, has reached out to the community with a model public education program, and has assembled an extraordinary collection of photographs, historical objects and artifacts to form an institution that has become one of America's outstanding small art museums. Because of the university's belief in the museum, the generous support of the citizens of Riverside, and strong support from national and federal foundations and agencies, UCR/CMP is now known the world-over as a research and exhibition facility and workshop where students, artists, scholars, faculty, and the public can work, experiment and interact. Its presence at UCR has provided a professional environment for student and faculty research, brought the world¹s most important photographic artists to the university, and promoted and advanced artistic, visual and humanistic discourse. The museum has become an integral part of the university¹s and community's intellectual life. During the last decade, the museum has achieved the university¹s goal of world-class excellence and visibility. The museum has curated exhibitions seen by millions of people around the globe in over 15 countries, has collaborated with Sony IMAX on films that have promoted the university¹s name worldwide, established a web site that receives over 350,000 hits each day, regularly garnered commentary in the national press ranging from the Los Angeles Times to the New York Times, and drawn close to $3 million in outside support. But if the cuts announced to us last week are implemented, the California Museum of Photography will have to essentially close its doors to both the academic program and to the community. Over the last decade, because of a series of ongoing budget cuts that began in the early 90s the museum--which once had a staff of 12--has achieved its prominence with an exceedingly small but dedicated staff of 8: a staff smaller than any comparable University of California museum. As of January 2004, the full compliment of museum staff of 8 has been reduced to 6. The announcement last week that we would be cut another 3 positions or 40% from our current budget makes it impossible for the museum program as it is now known to continue. The museum has been extraordinarily successful in fundraising. Indeed, as a facility that receives no UCR program funds, the museum has raised all funds needed to cover projects and exhibitions. But raising funds takes people. And awards are based on the strength of programs. With the announced cuts the museum will have neither the programs nor the staff to continue. More than this, because our current $230,000 in Federal awards (not including the $500,000 Save America¹s Treasures award) is matched against current staff, letting key staff go will mean our inability to match these funds, and the museum will be forced to forfeit these grants. Further, it is difficult to imagine that the fundraising for the Culver Center will be successful when its neighboring UCR institution, UCR/CMP, will be closed except for very limited hours. The University has a societal, legal and moral obligation to protect and conserve its collections: particularly the inestimable Keystone-Mast Stereo Glass Plate Collection; and the University of California¹s Ansel Adam¹s Fiat Lux Collection. However, under the new budget the collections will no longer be open to the public and will only be accessible to scholars on a very limited basis. Enough funding remains in the museum¹s accounts to provide a limited exhibition program next year for shows to which the museum has made previous commitments. These exhibitions would be opened to the public only two days a week. Because of lack of staff and lack of a curator, no further exhibitions will be planned, neither will faculty have access to the facility for exhibitions or programs. Considering the safety of the collections and the limited staff, all non-museum use of the building, such as hosting other academic functions, university events and public activities, will cease. The museum¹s public and community programs will cease, the Digital Studio will close, and the museum¹s forthcoming summer commitment to the city¹s Upward Bound program will be eliminated. Because the museum¹s web site is the most visited photography web site in the world and a rich resource of visual practices, material and curriculum, an attempt will be made to continue this web site¹s presence. It is indeed alarming that the most prominent jewel in the UCR¹s cultural and artistic presence should be so diminished. I most respectfully ask you to review and reverse this plan. The pull back in state funds has certainly produced a very difficult situation for the university. The museum is more than willing to take its fair share of the 7.5% cut. But a 40% cut will be catastrophic. I know that you recognize the museum¹s importance to students and to the UCR community. I hope you will to find a way to ensure the continuation of this key UCR facility and national treasure. Sincerely, Jonathan ~~~~ Jonathan Green, Director UCR/California Museum of Photography University of California, Riverside Riverside CA 92521 909.787.4787 UCR/CMP 909.787.5191 Direct 909.787.4797 Fax [email protected] http://www.cmp.ucr.edu
