Laura Raicovich appointed interim director at Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art following Queens Museum controversy

Laura Raicovich has assumed the role of interim director at the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art in Lower Manhattan, an institution dedicated to LGBTQ art and themes. Her appointment follows the departure of Gonzalo Casals, who became New York City's Cultural Affairs Commissioner. Raicovich's previous leadership at the Queens Museum ended in 2018 when the board forced her resignation over controversy surrounding her handling of a proposed rental of museum space to the Israeli government. The board cited alleged anti-Semitism and referenced a 2017 book she co-edited that included essays supporting the B.D.S. movement against Israel. Raicovich has stated her tenure at Leslie-Lohman will be temporary, advocating for a permanent director who identifies as LGBTQ. The museum is currently closed due to COVID-19 pandemic measures. Before her Queens Museum directorship, Raicovich launched Creative Time's Global Initiatives and Creative Time Reports while directing the Creative Time Summit.