The Wexner Center for the Arts, Ohio State University’s contemporary art institution, has announced the departure of Gaëtane Verna as the executive director. This decision comes after years of staff complaints and high attrition rates within the organization. Verna, who had been in the role for less than three years, faced criticism from over a dozen staff members who expressed a vote of no confidence in her leadership to Provost Ravi Bellamkonda.
Reports of low staff morale, poor leadership, and a high turnover rate were highlighted by former and current employees who spoke anonymously to the press. Allegations of Verna’s behavior towards employees, such as screaming and belittling them in meetings, as well as making impulsive financial and curatorial decisions without explanation, were brought to light. The staff turnover rate was a significant concern, with a 28% turnover in less than two years under Verna’s leadership.
Financial instability at the Wexner Center was also a cause for concern, with a $1.1 million deficit in fiscal year 2024. The center’s spending on projects like a website overhaul and unspecified capital expenditures raised eyebrows, leading to the issuance of a “red card” by the university due to financial instabilities. Verna’s alleged prioritization of projects that could further strain the center’s finances, such as a million-dollar proposal for a classroom and makerspace, added to the staff’s dissatisfaction.
Employees also raised issues about Verna’s decision-making process, citing instances where approved projects were scrapped without warning. One former employee, Tammy Eckard, shared her experience of having a project axed by Verna without explanation, leading to a strained relationship between them.
Despite efforts by staff to address their concerns through various channels, including meetings, emails, and mental health support, no satisfactory resolution was reached. Interim leadership at the Wexner Center has yet to be announced, with Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Trevor Brown expected to guide the transition in collaboration with the center’s leadership team.
The departure of Gaëtane Verna marks a significant change for the Wexner Center for the Arts, as the organization navigates through a period of transition and seeks to address the concerns raised by its staff members.
