In an uncommon move, Orlando Museum of Art has been placed on probation by a national accrediting organization in more fallout from last summer’s FBI’s seizure of works attributed to Jean-Michel Basquiat.
But in other ways, things are looking up for the museum. Two new exhibits, each with significant contemporary resonance, are filling the halls. And the museum has received very public signs of support from friends in high places.
Being placed on probation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) could cast a shadow over the progress the museum is making, but board of trustees chair Mark Elliott downplayed the status change, saying it already was being addressed.
“Our status is now temporarily probationary after the events surrounding the ‘Heroes & Monsters’ exhibition,” he wrote in a prepared statement provided by Tucker/Hall, the crisis-management PR firm hired by the museum after the FBI raid on the museum made national news in June.
“We are working with the AAM to remove our probationary status,” Elliott wrote, “and expect to remain in good standing.”
Orlando Museum of Art has been accredited by the national organization for more than 50 years in a streak stretching back to 1971.
Also hanging over the museum: What an independent investigation into the Basquiat fiasco determined and what actions OMA will take in response. The Akerman law firm of Orlando was commissioned by the board to determine what institutional failures led to the “Heroes & Monsters” exhibit opening even though board chair Cynthia Brumback was aware the FBI was investigating the authenticity of its artworks. Trustees began hearing the investigation’s findings months ago but have not released any information about what they have learned.
Brumback has since resigned from the board, while museum director Aaron De Groft, a champion of the exhibit, was fired shortly after the FBI raid.
Curators Hansen Mulford and Coralie Claeysen-Gleyzon have remained with the museum and are shepherding new exhibitions.
“Relentless Courage: Ukraine and the World at War,” presented by the Ginsburg Family Foundation, opens Jan. 21. It brings together world-class work from photographers who have documented the devastation in Ukraine since the Russian invasion last February.
Last month, the museum opened “Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From,” a bold and timely look at immigration and identity, jointly created by Lucio Benetton’s Fondazione Imago Mundi and the Aga Khan Museum of Toronto.
State Rep. Anna Eskamani was among the dignitaries who spoke at the opening-night reception, which also featured remarks from Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.
The mayor addressed the exhibit’s importance.
“We have cultures and traditions that represent just about every country in the entire world. We want to make Orlando the most equitable and inclusive place it can be,” he said. “That is why this exhibit is so important and a great fit for the Orlando Museum of Art.”
But Dyer also used the occasion to pointedly and publicly show his support for OMA.
“This is an important cultural institution for our community, for the city of Orlando, and I’m proud to have the Museum of Art here in our community,” he said.
Dyer obliquely acknowledged the museum’s turmoil by emphasizing the dedication of the institution’s employees and leadership.
“Kudos to the staff and board; they’ve been going through a lot the last seven months,” he said, later reiterating, “I just wanted to come tonight especially to support the work of the staff and board.”
It remains unclear what the trustees and staff will have to do to come off the American Alliance of Museums probation list — and how long it will take.
Orlando Museum of Art was one of the first museums in the nation to receive the accreditation after the program was started in 1971.
In 2011, in celebration of its 40th year of accreditation, the museum’s executive director spoke with the Orlando Sentinel about how the museum had undergone a review process that lasted more than a year to keep the distinction.
“We hope the people of Central Florida share our pride in having earned this prestigious honor.” said then-director Marena Grant Morrisey at the time. “This process was rigorous and demanding, as we examined virtually every aspect of our museum’s operations.”
According to the American Alliance of Museums website, accreditation is based on two guiding principles: How well the museum achieves its stated mission and goals, and how well the museum’s performance meets standards and best practices as they are generally understood in the museum field.
Accreditation involves both self-study and peer review and takes 8-16 months to complete, the website states. It also says the process should be carried out every 10 years.
The Alliance does not comment on individual museums, including probationary status. But a spokeswoman did explain the approach to probation in general terms.
“To move out of probation, the museum must demonstrate that it has addressed its particular compliance issues to the Accreditation Commission’s satisfaction,” spokeswoman Natanya Khashan wrote in an email. “The action the museum is required to take during the probation period varies and is based on the specific situation.”
And she said placing a museum on probation was a rare occurrence.
“Probation is not frequently used,” she wrote. “At any given time, fewer than 1% of accredited museums are on probation.”
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