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# Week in Review: Simone Leigh to Represent US in Venice Biennale; SF Offers Artist COVID-19 Stipend
- URL: https://hyperallergic.com/week-in-review-simone-leigh-to-represent-us-in-venice-biennale-sf-offers-artist-covid-19-stipend/
- Published: 2020-10-16T11:00:10.000Z
- Updated: 2025-11-24T16:38:48.000Z
- Description: Also, over 150 artists have amplified demands for reform at the New Orleans Museum of Art following accusations of bigotry and discrimination, and more.
- Author: Jasmine Weber
- Tags: News, Week in Review, #wp, #wp-post, #image-position-hidden, #Import 2025-11-24 09:08 (2019, 2020, part 3)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/img-3839-scaled-e1602532550402.jpg)

*Week in Review is a weekly collection of news, developments, and stirrings in the art world.* [*Subscribe*](https://hyperallergic.com/newsletters?utm%5Fsource=page&utm%5Fcampaign=artmovements) *to receive these posts as a weekly newsletter.*

Over 150 artists, including **Ebony G. Patterson, William Powhida,** and **Xaviera Simmons**, have amplified [demands for reform at the **New Orleans Museum of Art**](https://hyperallergic.com/150-artists-amplify-demands-for-reform-at-new-orleans-museum-of-art/). The letter asks art workers “to place strict conditions on their collaboration with NOMA,” which is being accused of bigotry and discrimination.

A statue reimagining the myth of **Medusa** by **Luciano Garbati**, which was installed near the site of several high-profile abuse cases including the Harvey Weinstein trials, has been [criticized for its depiction of Medusa’s nude body](https://hyperallergic.com/medusa-sculpture-new-york-county-criminal-court/), despite its intended message of women’s empowerment.

**San Francisco**‘s [COVID-19 recovery plan](https://hyperallergic.com/san-franciscos-covid-19-recovery-plan-includes-a-1000-monthly-stipend-for-130-artists/) includes a **$1,000 monthly stipend** for 130 artists.

Ahead of **Indigenous People’s Day**, unidentified protesters in Portland, Oregon [toppled statues of **Theodore Roosevelt** and **Abraham Lincoln**](https://hyperallergic.com/portland-oregon-indigenous-peoples-day/)**.**

Four activists were [fined for their live-streamed protest at the **Quai Branly Museum**](https://hyperallergic.com/quai-branly-museum-trial-verdict/), in which **Mwazulu Diyabanza** removed a 19th-century funerary post from its display to protest colonialism.

The **Supreme Court** [declined G&M Realty’s petition to review the **5Pointz** case](https://hyperallergic.com/scotus-declines-to-review-5pointz-case-cementing-settlement-for-artists/), upholding a 2018 federal court ruling that awarded $6.7 million in damages to 21 artists at the site.

The **Brooklyn Museum** is [**deaccessioning** 12 artworks](https://hyperallergic.com/brooklyn-museum-deaccessions-work/), including significant pieces by **Lucas Cranach the Elder** and **Francesco Botticini**, to maintain its collection. The works are estimated to accrue between $2.3 million and $3.5 million at **Christie’s**.

**Tom Gore**, the owner of a prison telecom company, [resigned from the board of **LACMA**](https://hyperallergic.com/tom-gores-resigns-from-lacma-board/) after over 100 artists demanded his removal.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/obm_washingtondc_was-dg-506-504_vp7a_art_vote_jeffreygibson_carriemae_20201009_enp_obm_473-26_adj-scaled-e1602688308460.jpg)

Laura Lott, president and CEO of the **American Alliance of Museums**, [criticized **Donald Trump**‘s resolution to forego a new stimulus package](https://hyperallergic.com/american-alliance-of-museums-denounces-trumps-delay-of-pandemic-relief-negotiations/) until after the election, calling the decision “irresponsible and shameful.”

The **American Alliance of Museums**’s newly updated “[**Guide to Election Year Activities**](https://hyperallergic.com/can-museums-engage-in-election-advocacy-yes-with-some-caveats/)” outlines what institutions can and can’t do in the lead-up to the presidential election.

**Carrie Mae Weems, Jenny Holzer, Jeffrey Gibson,** and **Tomashi Jackson** are also [participating in “**Art for Action**,”](https://hyperallergic.com/artists-like-jeffrey-gibson-and-carrie-mae-weems-encourage-voting-with-new-billboards/) the largest nonpartisan public art campaign to raise voter awareness.

## Awards & Accolades

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/leigh-simone-hires-5.jpg)

The **Ford Foundation** and the **Andrew W. Mellon Foundation** are launching “**Disability Futures**,” the only national award for disabled artists. Twenty disabled filmmakers, performers, and other creative practitioners across the US will each receive a $50,000 grant ($1 million in total) to pursue their work. | [Hyperallergic](https://hyperallergic.com/ford-and-mellon-foundations-launch-the-only-national-award-for-disabled-artists/)

**Simone Leigh** will represent the United States at the **59th Venice Biennale** in 2022\. | [Hyperallergic](https://hyperallergic.com/simone-leigh-will-represent-the-us-at-the-2022-venice-biennale/)

## Transitions

**Art in General,** a Brooklyn-based arts nonprofit, announced its closure after over four decades of operation.

**Martina Droth** was appointed deputy director and chief curator at the **Yale Center for British Art**. | [ARTFIX Daily](https://www.artfixdaily.com/artwire/release/8852-martina-droth-appointed-deputy-director-and-chief-curator-at-yale?ref=hyperallergic.com)

**John Hatfield**, executive director of **Socrates Sculpture Park**, will step down from his role.

**Elaine Yau** was appointed the inaugural curator for the Eli Leon Collection of African American Quilts at **UC Berkeley’s Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA)**.

## In Memoriam

Chris Killip (1946–2020), influential photographer | [*ARTnews*](https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/chris-killip-photographer-dead-1234573859/?ref=hyperallergic.com)

Herbert Kretzmer (1925–2020), lyricist on the English adaption of *Les Misérables |*[ BBC](https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-54535824?ref=hyperallergic.com)

Margaret Nolan (1943–2020), actress known for her role in *Goldfinger |* [AV Press](https://www.avpress.com/news/newsline/goldfinger-actress-margaret-nolan-dead-at-76/article%5Fd61e99a2-0cfd-11eb-afbb-3369d0426315.html?ref=hyperallergic.com)

Monica Roberts (1962–2020), journalist and activist for the trans community | [*Washington Post*](https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2020/10/09/monica-roberts-pioneering-transgender-activist-journalist-dies/?ref=hyperallergic.com)

Bob Shanks (1932–2020), television producer and executive | [*New York Times*](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/15/business/media/bob-shanks-dead.html?ref=hyperallergic.com)