Santa Ana officials are investing in restoring aging murals but also have triggered a controversy over wanting the right to destroy them by requiring artists to waive their rights in a recent public art contract.
This has prompted artists to protest, pointing to state and federal laws that give protections to artists when their artworks are threatened, such as the federal Visual Artist Rights Act of 1990 and the California Art Preservation Act.
After local artists spoke up, council members and arts and culture commissioners themselves have started asking hard questions, prompting high level discussions with Santa Ana City Manager, Alvaro Nuñez…