About MCLA

ABOUT THE MURAL CONSERVANCY

Murals. What art form is more visible to the public eye? At the same time, what art form is there that is more exposed to the elements, more vulnerable to vandalism?

Until the 1960s, public murals in Los Angeles were few and far between, isolated instances of commemoration or appreciation. During the sixties and seventies, young artists began to look at the early-century Mexican mural movement. Such notables as David Siqueiros, Diego Rivera and Jose Orozco helped inspire a new generation of Angeleno muralists such as Kent Twitchell, Terry Schoonhoven, Judith Baca, Frank Romero, Alonzo Davis, East Los Streetscapers and many others. Today upwards of a thousand murals have been produced in L.A., with new ones appearing on a regular basis. It has been widely acknowledged that we are one of the world's mural capitals. Murals that serve as significant area landmarks have been created by both famous and anonymous artists.

All of this creative activity has served the public and enhanced the image of Los Angeles at little cost to the public. But it has also presented future generations with the problem of deterioration and vandalism. MCLA's mission is to deal with this problem NOW in order to prevent it from becoming extensive and embarassing--and expensive--to the City; and to give this art its deserved due as a significant part of our cultural legacy.

L.A. is often singled out as the Mural Capital of the World because of the number, variety and quality of murals here. Not to mention the Southern California weather, which lets muralists create pretty much year round. As new murals come into existence every year, you can count on this site being in a state of ongoing dynamic development no matter how seemingly complete it gets. We put the emphasis on murals located outdoors and in public locations (those located in private homes or other restriced access locations are excluded unless they are of unusally special note).

Just use your mouse to launch yourself into any of the sections listed and you can learn about and see the murals hundreds of thousands of Angelinos view on there daily commutes, the muralists who make them, and MCLA itself.

The programs of the Mural Conservancy are made possible by the generous tax-deducible dues and donations of our members, the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department, the California Arts Council, the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, and the Brody Fund of the California Community Foundation.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

What is the Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles?
A coalition of arts and other interested professionals, the public, and government created to help preserve, maintain, and educate people about the recognized public murals of Los Angeles. MCLA is registered with the U.S. government and the State of California as a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.
The Mural Conservancy works to bind together the efforts of qualified arts professionals, volunteers, donors, and local government to support maintenance and documentation of our outdoor murals. The results sought are their ongoing enjoyMent by the public, as well as an informational resource that may be used by arts professionals and others interested in technical information or the historical record.

The following is a summary of the most important among MCLA's ongoing activities:

MAINTENANCE
The Mural Conservancy conducts volunteer sessions in the field to clean selected murals under the Mural Rescue Program. For heavier restoration and coating protection, MCLA provides a middleman role in hiring appropriate professionals. Regular mural inspections by a network of Mural Conservancy artists and volunteers help track the condition of many public murals and what, if any, work on them will be required.

REGISTRY
This computer data-base documents Los Angeles area murals, with new information on them entered as appropriate. This information has or can be used for a variety of needs--the Mural Conservancy's Map and Guide, historical research, or for practical facilitation of the observation and preservation goals of the Mural Conservancy's mission.

COMMUNICATION
Members receive the quarterly NEWSLETTER reporting on Mural Conservancy activities and related issues; and they receive the MURAL MAP AND GUIDE, which provides the locations of many significant public mural sites in Greater Los Angeles. MCLA's regular MURAL TOURS are open to the public--members receive a 20% discount.

What is its purpose?
To document, routinely inspect, and maintain and restore public murals in Los Angeles. The Mural Conservancy's aim is that registered murals will be regularly and periodically inspected for signs of normal wear or damage. Routine maintenance or restoration needs are reported through the Mural Rescue Program. Actual field work to repair or relocate selected murals is carried out under the Program. Members of the Mural Conservancy are provided opportunities to participate as volunteers in this work.

How is this paid for?
The work of the Mural Conservancy is supported by tax-deductible contributions sought from dues paying members of the public, private cultural funding foundations, government grants, and income earned from a variety of gift items and special events. Many individuals donating a tax-deductible minimum yearly dues of $25 apiece support MCLA's efforts. Donation checks must be made out to: Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles, or MCLA. Note: Many corporate and other employers will match employee donations. Please include your employer's name and address so we may let them know about your good will.

Who does the work?
A combination of unpaid volunteers who love L.A.'s great mural art, private contractors--and artists. With respect to the artists who create public art, however, the mission of the Mural Conservancy is to maintain works of merit well beyond a lifetime, as part of our cultural legacy.

The MCLA electronic web site is published by the Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles, © 2000 by MCLA. All rights reserved. Contents may be reproduced for commercial use in part or whole with approval of MCLA or the author of the visual or written work only. Downloading for personal/educational/non-commercial use is permissible.
Address s-mail correspondence to: MCLA, PO Box 50440, Los Angeles, CA 90050.
Telephone, (323) 512-5697, FAX (323) 512-8200.