During a recent forum in Washington, D.C., Anne Pasternak, the director of the Brooklyn Museum, raised concerns about a notable trend in museum leadership dynamics. She pointed out that while male directors often retire, their female counterparts are more likely to be dismissed, as reported by the Financial Times.
Pasternak's remarks were made at the Making Their Mark Forum, where she shared the stage with prominent figures such as Jodie Foster and Chelsea Clinton. Her apprehensions reflect a broader unease among museum leaders regarding the future of leadership in both the arts sector and the nation.
This sentiment is echoed in the findings of the Burns Halperin Report, which highlights that many women in the art world feel they face increased challenges and scrutiny, particularly when advocating for significant changes. In contrast, male leaders did not express similar concerns during interviews conducted for the report.
According to Susan Fisher Sterling, director of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, periods of instability can lead institutions to adopt a more cautious approach. This often results in leaders, particularly women and people of color, facing heightened scrutiny as they attempt to implement transformative initiatives.
Over the last decade, numerous museums have pledged to increase female representation in leadership roles, emphasizing the importance of diversifying audiences and collections. However, skepticism about the sincerity of these commitments has emerged, especially following several high-profile departures from major institutions in the U.S. and Europe.
The reasons behind these exits vary, with some leaders being let go, others resigning, and some leaving amid governance disputes. Nevertheless, a recurring theme suggests that women in leadership positions may receive less support during challenging times.
Recent examples include Sasha Suda, who was dismissed from her role as director of the Philadelphia Museum of Art just three years into her tenure, and Kim Sajet, who resigned from the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery after public criticism from Donald Trump regarding her support for diversity initiatives.
In Paris, Laurence des Cars recently resigned from the Louvre, facing challenges that included security issues at the museum. Meanwhile, Devyani Saltzman's departure from the Barbican Centre in London sparked an open letter from cultural figures, emphasizing the broader implications of her exit as one of the few leaders of South Asian heritage in the institution.
Elvira Dyangani Ose, the first woman and person of African descent to lead the Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona, is also stepping down early for a role in the Abu Dhabi Public Art Biennial, highlighting ongoing shifts in leadership across institutions.
Research indicates that diversity in leadership correlates with positive institutional outcomes. The 2022 Burns Halperin Report found that major U.S. museums acquiring significant works by women artists were led by women. As noted by Kymberly Pinder from the Yale School of Art, diverse representation can reshape perceptions of leadership roles.
Pasternak emphasized the importance of discussing these challenges openly, warning that silence could have detrimental effects on the sector's future.