DePaul University's decision to close its Art Museum has sparked widespread backlash from its advisory board and the academic community. The board has vehemently opposed the closure, citing the institution's historical significance and extensive collection. This dispute underscores broader concerns about the university's fiscal management and its commitment to cultural and educational assets amidst financial challenges, even as it prioritizes new athletic facilities.
Advisory Board's Outcry Against Museum Closure
The advisory board of the DePaul Art Museum in Chicago has sent a strongly worded letter to DePaul University's leadership, including President Robert L. Manuel and Provost Salma Ghanem, protesting the university's abrupt decision to close the museum on June 30. The board, comprising figures such as artists Brendan Fernandes and Melissa Leandro, former Expo Chicago head Tony Karman, and Sotheby's senior vice president Gary Metzner, expressed profound disappointment and anger. Many board members have dedicated years, some even decades, to the museum, with their involvement predating its current building, which opened in 2011. They criticize the administration for what they perceive as poor decision-making and a lack of transparency regarding the museum's fate and the future of its valuable art collection.
The letter highlights the museum's significant collection of approximately 4,000 artworks, specializing in international modern and contemporary art, which has been accumulated since 1972. This collection notably features works by Chicago's Monster Roster and Chicago Imagists, as well as other prominent local artists. The board argues that the university's decision overlooks the museum's immense cultural and educational value, branding it a "jewel" that is now being "battered and discarded." They also point out the university's apparent failure to address its legal obligations concerning the collection and the intentions of donors who contributed artworks over the years. This sentiment echoes an earlier open letter signed by over 3,750 faculty, staff, and students, all of whom challenged the university's rationale for the closure and emphasized the museum's crucial role within the academic community.
University's Financial Troubles and Competing Priorities
DePaul University's administration acknowledged the closure of the Art Museum as a "difficult decision," attributing it to ongoing fiscal challenges. A university spokesperson stated that discussions are underway to explore how the museum building and its collections can continue to serve academic purposes and support student development, reiterating that there are no plans to sell the permanent art collection. This response, however, has not placated the advisory board, which accuses the university of abandoning its founding "Vincentian values"—principles rooted in the 17th-century French priest Saint Vincent de Paul, emphasizing service and community—by closing a vital cultural institution.
The university is currently grappling with substantial financial difficulties, including a significant decline in international enrollment, which led to the layoff of 114 staff members in December as part of an effort to cut $27.4 million in spending. Despite these financial woes, the advisory board criticizes the university for prioritizing a new, state-of-the-art athletic facility, which has garnered over $10 million in donations. They contrast this investment, described as "rewards to the few," with the closure of the art museum, which they believe serves a broader public and academic good. This disparity in resource allocation raises questions about the university's long-term vision and its commitment to diverse educational and cultural offerings amidst its financial restructuring.