Judy Baca Refutes Allegations of Misusing $5 Million Grant for Los Angeles Mural

Activist and painter Judy Baca, renowned for her monumental mural “The Great Wall of Los Angeles,” is currently embroiled in controversy following allegations of financial misconduct. According to a report by the Los Angeles Times, ten former employees of Baca’s nonprofit, the Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC), have accused her of misusing funds from a $5 million Mellon Foundation grant intended for the mural’s expansion. The grant was meant to support the project over three years, but employees claim that they were directed to perform personal tasks for Baca rather than work on the mural.

The report highlights a significant increase in Baca’s salary post-grant receipt, altering from approximately $50,000 to a range between $211,000 and $236,000, said to align with her former salary at UCLA. Baca and SPARC’s Board Chair, Zojeila Flores, have rejected the allegations, attributing them to the dissatisfaction of former employees. They emphasized the intentions to continue the mural’s completion by its 2028 target.

Baca began “The Great Wall of Los Angeles” in 1974 to commemorate California’s diverse cultural history, engaging over 400 community youths in its creation. The Mellon Foundation grant was slated for the mural’s preservation and community engagement, although some ex-employees argue that the funds were misused for personal gains and unrelated tasks. Claims include Baca allegedly selling the mural’s archival materials for $1.5 million and allegedly directing funds from this sale to SPARC.

SPARC and Baca have not publicly addressed these accusations, nor has the Mellon Foundation commented on the situation. The controversy raises questions about the allocation and oversight of art grants and highlights the challenges of maintaining transparency and trust within nonprofit organizations dedicated to cultural preservation.