SVA chair resigns over Epstein ties
David Ross has stepped down from his position as chair of the MFA Art Practice program at the School of Visual Arts in New York following the release of emails linking him to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. These emails, made public by the U.S. Department of Justice in January, span from 2009 to 2016 and show Ross contacting Epstein post-conviction. In 2009, Epstein suggested funding an exhibition titled 'statutory' featuring subjects who appeared underage, and Ross responded with enthusiasm. He also described Epstein's punishment as 'undeserved' and referred to him as a 'friend.' Ross later expressed to Artnews that he felt 'mortified' by Epstein's actions. The SVA accepted his resignation immediately. Ross had led the program since 2009 and previously directed the Boston ICA, the Whitney, and SFMoMA.
Key facts
- David Ross resigned as chair of SVA's MFA Art Practice program.
- Resignation followed release of Epstein files showing correspondence from 2009-2016.
- Epstein proposed an exhibition titled 'statutory' involving underage-looking subjects.
- Ross called Epstein's punishment 'undeserved' and later said he was 'proud to call you a friend.'
- Ross told Artnews he was 'mortified' and 'ashamed' of falling for Epstein's lies.
- SVA accepted resignation effective immediately.
- Ross was former director of Boston ICA, Whitney, and SFMoMA.
- Ross had chaired the SVA program since 2009.
Entities
Artists
- David Ross
- Jeffrey Epstein
- Richard Prince
- Brooke Shields
Institutions
- School of Visual Arts
- Boston ICA
- Whitney Museum of American Art
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
- U.S. Department of Justice
- Artnews
Locations
- New York
- London