Artists make the organization, the organization does not make the artist. 

When two BIPOC artists who were working out of Verge's Center for the Arts Studio Space, raised concerns over where and how grant money was being used (money that was intended to improve the studio space) and other issues they felt passionate about, they were met with a swift eviction. 

The days following their eviction, word spread online through social media and rather than face the controversy openly and with transparency Verge Center for the Arts and the current Director Liv Moe along with several other employees took to social media to silence and block fellow artists and community members who dared to question and or criticize the way in which Verge has decided to handle the eviction situation. 

As a result I have put together with the work of many artists and community members an itemized list of all what the artist's were asking for and a few additional items as well.

Artists Requests: 

• Installation of Gender Neutral Bathrooms in upstairs studio area and in public space. 
• Clean water drinking stations accessible to Artists to be placed inside of Studio Project Space.
• A kiln for the Studio Project Space.
• Accessibility to the Riso machine outside of regular office hours.
• Annual reporting on how grant checks are being spent including a timeline of proposed projects.
• Annual reporting on how charity donations are being spent.
• Transparency about pending lawsuits and how they may affect Verge artists.
• Increased showing opportunities for all* artists that pay for Studio Spaces.
• Participation in Verge Center for the Arts, Sacramento Open Studio Event to be optional* for artists that are renting studios and not required.
• All artists, patrons and staff be made aware if they are being visually or auditory recorded while on site. 
• Full disclosure and break down of how the Museum Grant Program money is being spent.
• Follow up actions towards the Palestinian Liberation Movement.
• Wider BIPOC representation in Artist Studio Space and Administration Staff Space.
• Liaison or Human Resource available onsite to voice safety concerns regarding workplace harassment or bullying as well as to answer questions regarding Healthcare Plans.
• 5 Paid Mental Health Days for all employees/staff.
• A review of the current and or future Director's salary.
• A voting system in place to review the current (and future), Director's performance as well as a review of their treatment of staff to include artists working at Verge, workshop employees, and board members.
• Background Checks for adults working with children (0-17 years old) required for hire.
• Limit of 15 children (0-10 years of age) per teacher/instructor.
• Reduced prices for event tickets for BIPOC artists and LGBTQ+ artists in the community. 
• A letter of explanation and apology to the artists that were evicted as well as the artists that have had their reputation tainted as a result of Verge's tactics of blocking both online and in person.

As artists and members of the Sacramento Community, we feel strongly that Art Spaces that claim to value Artist's input should be open to criticism and dissent regarding their decisions that affect Artist's livelihood and the community they serve. 

Furthermore we feel that Verge Center for the Arts should be an open and accessible space both online and in person to discuss the artist's and art communities concerns when they are brought to their attention without fear of backlash and retaliation such as blocking artists and community members online without just cause and explanation, additionally artworks submitted for Verge Shows should not be refuted based on the artist's personal opinions but rather the quality of the artwork itself.

We have lost countless talented artists who have left Sacramento due to the fact that many institutions do not center the needs of the artists who produce the very work that brings so much life and money into Sacramento. We hope that Verge Center for the Arts takes this opportunity to show the community that they are a part of the Sacramento art scene and not above it.