And what of the nation's capital?

"I don't see it as a moment of crisis," Viso told MAN last week. "I see it as a moment of opportunity." Yes, but not so much opportunity that Viso wanted to stay. Read the second part of Viso's MAN Q&A about structural issues in the DC arts scene. She's right. None of these are secrets, nor have they been for years. But no one has successfully addressed them.

Here's hoping that Viso's departure provides Washington with -- ahem -- an opportunity to take a good hard look at its commitment to contemporary art and to its contemporary art institutions. It's time for Washington to stop treating art as a mere tourist attraction and to start thinking of contemporary art as an important part of the conversation between peoples, nations, and values systems. (Or, to put that another way: It's time for Washington to start thinking a little more like a European capital.)

The structural changes that Viso identifies will have to start with a funder: Notoriously attention-shy multi-billionaire Mitch Rales, the 800-pound Snuffleupagus of Washington's art scene. Rusty Powell, on whose board Rales sits, will have to have an epiphany about contemporary art. And the new Hirshhorn director, whomever it is, will have to be involved in any kind of re-birth as well. (Rales is the vice-chair of the Hirsh board.) Only when the major funder and the major institutions begin to address DC's issues will progress happen. (Important: If the new Smithsonian secretary comes from the art world that could have a major impact on the city and on the Smithsonian.)

Also, this isn't just about the institutions I've mentioned. Look at what other major cities -- especially other world capitals -- have that Washington doesn't. We have no coherent, respected, dedicated public art organization or program, nothing that plays a respectable second-fiddle to, say, Creative Time. We don't have an ICA-style kunsthalle. We don't have a significant residency program that brings artists from around the world into the capital of the free world and provides a place for their work to be seen.

If Washington doesn't begin to get its act together, it's going to fall further behind.