In a surprising turn of events, the Philadelphia Art Museum has parted ways with its director, Alexandra ‘Sasha’ Suda, following concerns raised by board members. It appears that her emphasis on inclusive exhibits was perceived to have overshadowed other aspects of her role.
Suda, a seasoned art historian and curator with a career spanning several decades, received the news of her dismissal on Tuesday morning, according to a report by Philadelphia Magazine. She was informed via email that she was being terminated ‘for cause’, and the board expressed their best wishes for her future endeavors.
The museum has confirmed Suda’s departure in a statement to the Daily Mail, announcing that Louis Marchesano, the deputy director of curatorial affairs and conservation, will temporarily oversee daily operations until a new chief executive is appointed.
The institution remained tight-lipped about the specific reasons behind Suda’s firing, describing it as an ‘internal matter’. Efforts to reach Suda for a comment were unsuccessful.
Suda’s tenure, which began in 2022, was marked by significant changes, as she sought to reshape the museum’s approach toward inclusivity during her three years at the helm. However, it seems this vision clashed with the board’s expectations, ultimately leading to her unexpected dismissal.
She spent three years as the museum’s leader, arriving in 2022 and immediately shaking things up.
Suda released an equity agenda shortly upon arrival that included goals such as 40 percent of employees from diverse backgrounds by 2025, 35 percent supplier diversity by 2025 and $5 million raised for African American art by 2025.
Suda has said these goals, all of which were reportedly achieved this year, were discussed behind the scenes before her tenure began.
Alexandra ‘Sasha’ Suda was fired as the chief executive of the Philadelphia Art Museum on Tuesday morning with ’cause’. Board members had allegedly grown concerned about her focusing too much on inclusivity when it came to exhibitions
Since Suda arrived in 2022, the Philadelphia Art Museum has undergone a number of changes that allow for more black and African art to be showcased
In 2023, Suda established the Brind Center for African and African Diaspora Art (pictured)
‘It’s new in that we’re having the confidence to express it outwardly, but that intention was there all along,’ she told WHYY-FM, a Philadelphia public radio station, in 2023.
That year, she established the Brind Center for African and African Diaspora Art, a permanent wing of the museum that was ‘dedicated to the study, acquisition, and care of art from continental Africa and the African diaspora.’
This year, Suda introduced The Time is Always Now – a limited-time exhibition that showed off paintings, sculptures and drawings made by 28 contemporary black and African artists.
Suda was also a key player in securing an exhibit called the Nation of Artists featuring artworks from Philadelphia Phillies owner John S Middleton. His and wife Leigh’s collection is considered one of the best in the world.
However, Suda has been on the receiving end of criticism in the last few weeks for her decision to rebrand the Philadelphia Museum of Art as the Philadelphia Art Museum.
Critics do not appear to be fond of the new logo in front of the museum’s iconic steps that were made famous by the 1976 film Rocky.
As all this unfolded, insiders told the Philadelphia Citizen in August that board members were not pleased with Suda for focusing too much on inclusion, having a narrow focus in terms of new exhibitions and sluggish fundraising.
Suda, a Canadian citizen in the United States on a work visa, could be forced to return to her home country if she doesn’t find a new job fast enough.
She began her career as an art historian at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, where she worked from 2003 to 2011.
She then held several positions at museums in Canada. She was the chief executive of the National Gallery of Canada for about three years before moving to Philadelphia.
