Tom of Finland Foundation Faces Open Letter from 41 Former Residents Over Program Cuts
On Monday, September 28, an open letter was published, signed by 41 former artist residents of the Tom of Finland Foundation. The letter criticizes the current leadership for its lack of transparency and the sudden termination of programs, notably the Artist-in-Residence (AIR) initiative, which was ended unexpectedly. It also alleges that nearly all TOM House staff were dismissed in June. The signatories call on the board to uphold the foundation's mission, ensuring the preservation of Tom of Finland's legacy while fostering new generations of queer and erotic artists. Founded in 1984, the nonprofit has worked to maintain Tom's artwork and began the AIR program in 2011. The dispute with the co-founder casts doubt on the organization’s future.
Key facts
- 41 former artist residents of the Tom of Finland Foundation released an open letter on Monday, September 28.
- The letter accuses the current administration of a lack of transparency and the abrupt interruption of several programs.
- The Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program was discontinued without prior communication or warning, according to the signatories.
- The letter claims that nearly the entire staff of TOM House was laid off this past June.
- The foundation was established in 1984 to preserve the art and legacy of Tom of Finland, born Touko Laaksonen (1920–1991).
- Tom of Finland's erotic depictions of hypermasculine men—sailors, lumberjacks, and leather-clad bikers—became iconic images of queer culture.
- The foundation began supporting contemporary artists through exhibitions and acquisitions, and in 2011 started an artist residency program at its headquarters, an Echo Park craftsman home known as TOM House.
- An acrimonious rift between the foundation's board and its co-founder leaves the organization's future uncertain.
Entities
Artists
- Tom of Finland
- Touko Laaksonen
- Carta Monir
- Mark Hanauer
Institutions
- Tom of Finland Foundation
- Hyperallergic
Locations
- Los Angeles
- United States
- Echo Park