Mission Cultural Center closure hits arts scene hard

The Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts suspended operations this week, cutting children’s programming, exhibits and events as San Francisco’s cultural institutions face mounting financial pressure.

The closure highlights the precarious funding situation for the city’s smaller cultural centers, many of which rely heavily on Arts Commission grants and operate on tight budgets. City Hall has promised action, but the center’s closure represents an immediate loss for the Mission District community.

SOMArts, another Arts Commission-funded center, continues operating but could benefit from individual donations to remain open and free to the public. The center currently features “Tabi Tabi Po: Come Out with the Spirits!” showcasing works by artist and muralist Cece Carpio through March 29.

Despite the funding challenges, several major exhibitions are opening or closing soon across the city’s museums. Rose B. Simpson’s “LEXICON” at the de Young closes February 7, while “Manet and Morisot” at the Legion of Honor and “Suzanne Jackson: What is Love” at SFMOMA both run through March 1.

SFMOMA and the Museum of the African Diaspora are collaborating on “Building Universes,” a free February 5 event that asks participants to move between the museums to experience both “Suzanne Jackson: What Is Love” and “UNBOUND: Art, Blackness & the Universe.” The Jackson exhibition features 80 paintings and drawings in the first retrospective of her career.

SFMOMA announced finalists for its SECA awards, which highlight Bay Area artists who have yet to receive substantial recognition from major institutions. The finalists include Sholeh Asgar, Windy Chien, Soleé Darrell, Xandra Ibarra, Em Kettner, Charles H. Lee, Yameng Lee Thorp, Aspen Mays, Adia Millett, Lorena Molina, Tricia Rainwater, Chanell Stone, Livien Yin, and Jes Young. Winners will be announced in April with a show of their work opening in December.

Several new exhibitions are opening this month. “Trina Michelle Robinson: Open Your Eyes to Water” opens February 11 at both 500 Capp Street and Root Division, with opening receptions February 14 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at 500 Capp Street and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Root Division. “Video Craft” opens February 28 at the Museum of Craft & Design.