Nancy Spector Exits Guggenheim After Racial Bias Probe Clears Her
After 34 years as curator and artistic director, Nancy Spector has departed from the Guggenheim Museum in New York. This exit comes on the heels of a three-month inquiry into allegations of racial bias made by guest curator Chaédria LaBouvier, who described her collaboration with Spector as "the most racist professional experience of my life." Although the investigation found no racial misconduct, LaBouvier noted she was not interviewed, while the museum stated she did not reply to their outreach. Regardless of the findings, her claims spurred a letter from Guggenheim staff addressing systemic racism and initiated a diversity plan. The museum acknowledged Spector's commitment to diversifying exhibitions and revealed her departure to focus on other projects and her doctoral dissertation.
Key facts
- Nancy Spector stepped down after 34 years at the Guggenheim Museum in New York
- An independent investigation cleared Spector of racial bias allegations made by guest curator Chaédria LaBouvier
- LaBouvier accused Spector of racism in a June social media post related to the 2023 Basquiat exhibition 'Defacement': The Untold Story
- The investigation reviewed over 15,000 documents and interviewed current and former employees
- LaBouvier said she was not interviewed for the investigation; the museum stated she did not respond to requests
- Hundreds of Guggenheim staff signed a letter condemning systemic racism, prompting a museum diversity plan
- The Guggenheim praised Spector for diversifying exhibitions, hiring BIPOC curators, and expanding the collection
- Spector commented that the investigation confirmed she did not treat LaBouvier adversely based on race
Entities
Artists
- Nancy Spector
- Chaédria LaBouvier
- Jean-Michel Basquiat
Institutions
- Guggenheim Museum
- Board of Trustees
Locations
- New York
- United States