Whitney Museum Special Review Panel Concludes June 4, 2019
The Whitney Museum of American Art's special review panel concluded its work on June 4, 2019. This panel was established to address controversies surrounding the museum's board and ethical concerns. Warren B. Kanders, a vice chair of the museum's board, faced scrutiny for his company's production of tear gas canisters used at the U.S.-Mexico border. The panel's formation followed protests by artists and activists calling for Kanders' resignation. Eight artists withdrew their work from the 2019 Whitney Biennial in protest. The museum announced the panel's creation in March 2019 to review its ethical guidelines and governance. The panel included experts in ethics, law, and museum governance. Its final report was expected to provide recommendations for the museum's future policies.
Key facts
- The Whitney Museum of American Art established a special review panel in March 2019
- The panel concluded its work on June 4, 2019
- Warren B. Kanders, a vice chair of the museum's board, was central to the controversy
- Kanders' company, Safariland, produced tear gas canisters used at the U.S.-Mexico border
- Eight artists withdrew from the 2019 Whitney Biennial in protest
- The panel reviewed the museum's ethical guidelines and governance structures
- Protests by artists and activists called for Kanders' resignation
- The panel's final report included recommendations for future policies
Entities
Institutions
- Whitney Museum of American Art
- Safariland
Locations
- New York
- United States
- Mexico