Three Women Museum Directors Fired: Sexism in the Art World?

In early 2018, three prominent women museum directors were fired within weeks: Helen Molesworth from MOCA Los Angeles, Laura Raicovich from Queens Museum, and María Inés Rodríguez from CAPC Bordeaux. Molesworth, a celebrated chief curator, was dismissed reportedly due to tensions with director Philippe Vergne, though MOCA cited creative differences. Raicovich was ousted on January 29 after clashes with conservative board members over her pro-immigrant activism and political exhibitions. Rodríguez was let go just before the opening of a show by Benoît Maire on March 9, blamed for a drop in attendance from 140,000 in 2011 to 90,000 in 2017 and staff complaints. The firings sparked accusations of sexism, with over fifty international directors, curators, and artists signing a letter in Libération supporting Rodríguez. The three women share only their gender and high-profile roles, raising questions about systemic bias in art institutions.