A missive landed in the email boxes of members of the Association of Art Museum Directors last Monday that came as a complete surprise to some, I’m told, and not unexpected at all to others: In it, Janet Landay, the executive director, announced her resignation.
Landay (left) took the job only in February 2009, so something clearly went wrong. Personality clashes? Mismatch of skills to the job? Differences of opinion on policy or strategy or definition of the job?
No one is talking on the record, but the answer that I’ve gleaned from a couple of background sources seems to be all of the above. Some members feel the organization should be changing faster than it is, and they want a more dynamic person in charge.
You can tell the group wants to let this moment pass fast. Last Monday, AAMD President Kaywin Feldman, the director of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, began her February Message by noting Landay’s departure and her role in overseeing the development of a strategic plan, along with an implementation plan. She said that Landay was leaving “to pursue new challenges.” Thanks and best wishes, she added, and that was that. On to other things.
I’ve often said that AAMD is punching below its weight (here, here and here, to cite a few), but I’m pretty sure that my disappointments about the group (lack of openness, failure to grapple with some important issues, like pushing members toward financial stability with guidelines for endowments, and more advocacy for art, not just audience-drawing activities) are not the same as members’ disappointments.
But groups like AAMD inherently have a structural problem — who’s in charge, the ED or the president, who heads a museum? Who speaks for the group? Must they speak pablum, to make sure no member disagrees?
The AAMD board, I understand, has not yet appointed a search committee or engaged a search firm. I hope they discuss these ideas, and make real decisions about the kind of person they want, even if it means redefining the job.
Landay, meanwhile, will remain “Consulting Director” until May 1. Christine Agnanos, deputy director, has been named Interim Director, and the board — one member told me — will take a larger role.