INDIANAPOLIS — The president of Newfields resigned from his position Wednesday amid mounting staff and community criticism over a controversial job listing in which the Indianapolis art museum and nature center described a need to diversify its patrons while “maintaining the museum’s traditional, core, white art audience.”
“This morning, we accepted Dr. Charles Venable’s resignation as President of Newfields,” the board of trustees and board of governors of Newfields said in a statement. “We thank him for his service and agree that his resignation is necessary for Newfields to become the cultural institution our community needs and deserves.”
Newfields said Chief Financial Officer Jerry Wise will serve as the interim president.
Venable, 60, has faced mounting pressure to step aside since the job posting went viral on social media on Friday. More than 85 staff and board members signed a public letter Tuesday calling for his ouster. That followed a similar letter signed by more than 1,800 people, including numerous patrons and members of the local and national arts community.
Newfields officials declined to conduct interviews, but apologized in a long statement that promised changes.
“We are sorry. We have made mistakes. We have let you down,” the statement says. “We are ashamed of Newfields’ leadership and of ourselves. We have ignored, excluded, and disappointed members of our community and staff. We pledge to do better. For those expressing outrage and frustration—we are listening.”
For more on this story, see Thursday’s Republic.
