CAMP Mural FAQs

Erin Feller, 2013

___________________________________________________________________ 

HOW OFTEN DO THE MURALS ON CLARION ALLEY CHANGE?

Each wall is different. CAMP’s oldest mural was created in 1994 by Chuy Campusano and has been maintained by the project since 1997, the year Campusano died. There are walls that belong to an artist(s) for as long as they maintain their mural(s). Some artists repaint their walls every few months or every few years; others maintain the original mural they painted. When an artist moves away or is no longer available to maintain their wall CAMP will then select another artist or organization to paint a new mural. Some of the walls are given out as temporary spaces that will only be up for a year or less.

 

HOW ARE THE ARTISTS SELECTED TO PAINT A MURAL?

As there are very few new spaces that become available each year, CAMP primarily reaches out to artists and organizations that we want to work with. CAMP also accepts proposals for new works; however priority goes to artists who are based in the Bay Area and available to maintain their murals. If you are interested in submitting a proposal for consideration, please send all inquires to [email protected].

.

 

WHO MAINTAINS THE MURALS?

The artists are expected to maintain their murals. When an artist is no longer able to maintain their mural CAMP will select a new artist for the wall.

 

ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT ARTISTS ARE ALLOWED TO PAINT?

The artists who are selected to work with CAMP have creative freedom. Additionally, CAMP’s mission includes the support of aesthetically diverse art.

 

WHAT LAW PROTECTS THE MURALS FROM BEING REPRODUCED WITHOUT PERMISSION? 

The murals of San Francisco and other public art are protected by federal copyright law 17 USC 101 et seq.  Simply because a mural is displayed on a street, it is not free for the taking any more than the cars parked there.  Under the federal Copyright Act copyright protection exists for a work from the moment the work is created, and registration with the US Copyright office is optional (though certainly a good idea). CAMP registers our murals with the U.S. Copyright Office.

Contemporary murals are almost never in the public domain, and it is not usually a fair use to photograph them, except perhaps as a personal memento of a vacation.  For example, reproducing murals in films, books, on clothing, or selling photographs of them is not permitted without written consent.  Such written consent normally takes the form of a “license”.

Generally, copyright infringement occurs when a copyrighted work is reproduced, distributed, performed, publicly displayed, or made into a derivative work without the permission of the copyright owner.

For more information on usage of the murals, visit our Mural Licensing page.

To seek permission to use any CAMP murals please contact:
[email protected]

 

HOW IS CAMP FUNDED?

CAMP is an all volunteer-run organization; therefore our overhead costs are relatively low. The project receives support through our annual Block Party, individual donations, grants, and walking tours.

CAMP welcomes gifts of any amount! Our work is not possible without the very generous support of the community members who believe in the work we do and the space that we provide to give artists and disenfranchised communities a voice.

If you would like to make a contribution, please visit our Donation page.

 

IS THE CITY OF SAN FRANCISCO INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT?

No, the City of San Francisco is not involved in the administration of CAMP in any way. In general, the city has no jurisdiction over what is painted on private property – over the past 24 years CAMP has secured permissions from all of the property owners on Clarion Alley except two.