Educator Colette Pierce Burnette Will Be the First Black Woman to Lead Indianapolis Museum of Art

BY TESSA SOLOMON via https://www.artnews.com/

The Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields announced on Tuesday that educator Colette Pierce Burnette will be its next president and chief executive. She is the first Black woman to lead the institution and will navigate it through a critical chapter in its 139-year-history.

In March 2021, Charles L. Venable, its president and chief executive of nine years, resigned amid outcry over a job listing seeking a director who would work to maintain its “traditional, core, white art audience.”

The museum apologized for the description, which was was subsequently revised to read “traditional core art audience.” It is currently implementing an action plan in response to demands from activists for a stronger diversity commitment and a healthier workplace culture.

The action plan includes a $20 million endowment to acquire works from underrepresented artists, a program for antiracist and bias training, and hiring reforms. In 2021, Darrianne Christian became the first Black woman to chair the….

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