It's been a season of controversy for Salvador Salort-Pons, director of the Detroit Institute of Arts since 2015, who's been beset by twin crises that erupted almost simultaneously.
One concerns possible conflict of interest involving the loan of an El Greco painting, "St. Francis Receiving the Stigmata," from Salort-Pons' father-in-law, which is currently hanging in the DIA's medieval and Renaissance galleries.
A Washington, D.C., watchdog, Whistleblower Aid, filed a complaint with the Internal Revenue Service and the Michigan attorney general charging that the DIA board failed to follow its own procedures in approving the loan. They further allege that exhibition at the DIA could boost the painting's resale value, thereby benefiting the director's family.
The other touches on alleged staff discontent, with a group of former and current employees known as DIA Staff Action charging that the director has created a hostile work environment, one that's been particularly dismissive of women and people of color.
More: In DIA director Salort-Pons, a disconnect between how he's seen inside, outside the museum
The Detroit News recently talked over these issues with Salort-Pons. The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Let's start with a blunt question: Given the twin crises facing you, can you survive as DIA director?
Salvador Salort-Pons: "I serve at the pleasure of the board. And their support has been important to me over the past two months."
Your fellow museum director, Elysia Borowy-Reeder, was fired by the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, after charges that somewhat resemble those leveled against you — that she'd allegedly created a toxic work environment and was racially insensitive. Does her dismissal change the calculus on your chances?
"This is something I don't care to speculate on. When you compare MOCAD to the DIA — the DIA has a unique business model because of our millage support, which makes comparisons difficult."
Has the museum reached out to DIA Staff Action after their charges of a toxic work environment?
"We do not know who the members of DIA Staff Action are. We are open to talking to any staff members, however, and are interested in having a dialog. I have an open door policy.
"However, since the beginning of the pandemic, the priority for the museum has been to protect the staff. We have avoided layoffs and furloughs. And by redeploying these staff members (whose regular duties disappeared during the pandemic, like those handling group reservations), we can keep everybody on the payroll."
Some have said an outsized percentage of women with decades of experience have left the museum in the past five years. Is that a fair assessment? And do you have any idea why?
"The DIA’s staff-turnover rate is below the national average. The national rate is over 12 percent annually, and ours is 9 percent. We’ve been collecting that information since we got our new head of Human Resources in 2018.
"All our colleagues are talented. It’s my wish that the museum had the resources and positions to allow everyone on staff to advance internally. But some of our team members have career ambitions that can only be met at an institution other than the DIA. The museum isn’t necessarily a place for people to finish their careers, but move forward. We are proud that their experiences at the DIA allow them to move to more prestigious organizations."
You're under attack from DIA Staff Action as well as for the loan of the El Greco painting from your father-in-law, both of which have been the subject of reporting at the national level. How are you handling all this emotionally?
"You know, criticism is part of the job of being director. And I remain focused on the work we need to do, and that includes our work around inclusion and diversity. I’m focused on our exhibition program, and am very focused on ensuring we provide a safe and healthy experience for our visitors and staff."
Has Crowell & Moring, the Washington, D.C. law firm brought in by the board to examine the ethics of the El Greco loan, started its work? If so, how long will the investigation take?
"Yes, they've started. But I’m not involved with it, so don’t know how long it might take."
Given the trouble it's caused, do you wish the El Greco had stayed at your father-in-law’s house in Dallas?
"I think the El Greco looks terrific in the galleries, and it’s a great thing for the museum to have on view. We are the only museum in Michigan with an El Greco on display, and it provides opportunities for education and enhances the visitor experience.
"It is my hope that this painting will be donated to the DIA."
Can this crisis be turned into what President Obama called a "teachable moment?" Is it possible to reform museum practices in a constructive way?
"We always welcome opportunities to learn how to do better. For me, it’s very important to learn what matters to our community and staff. So I want to listen. I want learn. And I want to work with the community and staff.
"I think this moment for us is a reminder of the significance of the work that was already underway at the museum around workplace culture, diversity, inclusion, access and equity, that was moving forward very well until we had to stop it due to the pandemic."
mhodges@detroitnews.com
(313) 815-6410
Twitter: @mhodgesartguy
"want" - Google News
August 25, 2020 at 07:42AM
https://ift.tt/3jh5Gmp
DIA's Salvador Salort-Pons: 'I want to listen. I want to learn' - The Detroit News
"want" - Google News
https://ift.tt/31yeVa2
https://ift.tt/2YsHiXz
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "DIA's Salvador Salort-Pons: 'I want to listen. I want to learn' - The Detroit News"
Post a Comment