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Newfields faces questions, yet another CEO search after sudden departure

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Newfields faces questions, yet another CEO search after sudden departure


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Questions continue to swirl in the days following the sudden departure of Newfields president and CEO Colette Pierce Burnette.

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A news release sent Friday evening noted only: “Dr. Burnette will depart Newfields as President and CEO.” It did not specify whether she resigned or was removed from her position.

The museum did not respond to a request made Tuesday for more information regarding the circumstances surrounding Burnette’s departure.

Michael Kubacki, chairman of Lake City Bank and a former member of Newfields’ Board of Trustees, was appointed interim CEO.

The loss appears poised to thrust Newfields, which houses the city’s largest art museum in the Indianapolis Museum of Art, back into familiar controversy.

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From March 2022: A year into Newfields’ action plan: Where CEO search, neighborhood program and more stand

Newfields hired Burnette following controversy, accusations of racism

In 2021, Newfields was rocked by a string of racism accusations, most notably a job posting that sought a director to “attract a broader and more diverse audience while maintaining the Museum’s traditional, core, white art audience.”

The posting and other incidents led to tremendous public outcry from the arts community and greater Indianapolis area. Former Newfields CEO Charles Venable ultimately resigned.

Burnette was hired last year after a lengthy search following Venable’s resignation. She was the first Black woman to hold the position, according to the museum.

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As part of a pledge to diversify its leadership, Newfields also named Darrianne Christian as the first Black woman to chair its Board of Trustees. Belinda Tate, also a Black woman, was hired as museum director last month.

From 2022: New Newfields CEO Colette Pierce Burnette talks about her plans, director search and more

Indy Arts Council calls for transparency

Julie Goodman, president and CEO of Indy Arts Council, weighed in on the departure in a Facebook post following the museum’s announcement.

“(Burnette) made more progress in her early tenure than many make in an entire career,” Goodman wrote. “I don’t understand this at all and will be asking a lot of questions.”

Goodman served on the search committee that ultimately recommended Burnette.

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“Newfields boldly and loudly declared its commitment to ‘building a stronger relationship with the people of Indianapolis,” Goodman wrote. “Our residents responded in good faith and are again met with callous and cold communication fueling a cycle of trauma and harm — especially for members of our Black and Brown communities.We demand more information based on the positive impact that Dr. Burnette has had to date.”

The Arts Council administers a grant program funded by the City of Indianapolis to various local arts institutions, including $75,000 to Newfields in 2022. The City’s Department of Public Works is also listed as a donor of between $250,000 and $499,000 on Newfields’ 2021-22 annual report.

IndyStar attempted to reach several of the artists who penned a letter calling for significant change at Newfields following Venable’s statements, but none responded.

Eighteen Art Collective, the local creators of the “We. The Culture” exhibit at Newfields that delves heavily into issues of racial justice, did not provide comment by the time of publication.

Newfields’ abrupt leadership change comes just weeks after the announcement of the museum’s sponsorship of and partnership with the 2024 Indiana State Fair. Next year’s fair theme will be “the art and nature of fun.”

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Rory Appleton is the pop culture reporter at IndyStar. Contact him at 317-552-9044 and rappleton@indystar.com, or follow him on Twitter at @RoryEHAppleton.



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Indianapolis, IN

Exclusive | Taylor Swift was ‘shocked’ by Travis Kelce’s ‘last-minute’ appearance at Indianapolis Eras Tour show

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Exclusive | Taylor Swift was ‘shocked’ by Travis Kelce’s ‘last-minute’ appearance at Indianapolis Eras Tour show


Taylor Swift was “shocked” when Travis Kelce showed up at her Indianapolis Eras Tour concert on Saturday, a source exclusively tells Page Six.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end arrived while Swift was onstage performing during the sold-out show at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Videos circulating on social media captured the Super Bowl champion surprising the “Cruel Summer” singer’s mom, Andrea Swift, 66, and brother, Austin Swift, 32.

Travis Kelce surprised Taylor Swift, her mom, Andrea Swift, and brother, Austin Swift, at the singer’s Indianapolis Eras Tour show on Saturday, a source exclusively tells Page Six. reqnights/X
Austin and Andrea were “shocked” when Travis showed up at Taylor’s concert, the insider explains. reqnights/X

“Andrea and Austin didn’t think Travis was going to be able to make it,” the insider tells us.

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“They were shocked when he showed up. It was an amazing surprise and they were thrilled he was able to be there for such an important occasion.”

In the clips shared online, the NFL athlete, 35, could be seen walking up to the pair and greeting Austin with a huge bear hug.

Taylor was onstage performing for the sold-out crowd at Lucas Oil Stadium when Kelce arrived. Getty Images for TAS Rights Management
“Travis had practice earlier that day and he wasn’t even sure if he was going to be able to make it,” our source adds. Getty Images
It was “really important” to Kelce to attend Taylor’s show as she wrapped up the US leg of her Eras Tour. Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

Austin, who was dressed in a white shirt, could be seen giving the football player a few huge pats on the back.

Meanwhile, Andrea’s jaw dropped as she appeared just as stunned to see Kelce.

Our source says it was “really important” to the Chiefs star to attend Taylor’s show.

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“It was a last-minute decision,” the insider tells Page Six. “Thankfully, he was able to get out of practice on time and show up.” James Gourley/Shutterstock
Taylor is known for being close with her family, especially her mom, Andrea. Getty Images
Taylor has been seen getting close to Travis’ mom, Donna Kelce, at football games over the past year. AP

Kelce made it a point to make an appearance since it was the weekend of the Grammy Award winner’s final US shows before wrapping her record-breaking Eras Tour.

“Travis had practice earlier that day and he wasn’t even sure if he was going to be able to make it,” the insider tells Page Six.

“It was a last-minute decision,” the source adds. “Thankfully, he was able to get out of practice on time and show up.”

The couple started dating in the summer of 2023. John Angelillo/UPI/Shutterstock
They went public with their romance in September of that year, two months after he publicly expressed interest in the pop songstress. Annie Wermiel/NY Post
Taylor has hinted at attending the Kansas City Chiefs game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night. Getty Images

The Chiefs are scheduled to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night. Swift, 34, has hinted she may be there to return the favor and support her beau.

The pop star’s Eras Tour kicked off in Glendale, Ariz., in March 2023 and concludes in Vancouver on Dec. 8.

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Taylor and Kelce started dating in summer 2023. They went public with their romance in September of that year, two months after he publicly expressed interest in the songstress.



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Indianapolis, IN

Two men arrested in Lasalle Street homicide investigation

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Two men arrested in Lasalle Street homicide investigation


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Two men have been taken into custody for their roles in a fatal shooting that happened Friday on Indianapolis’ east side.

According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, officers were dispatched around 7 a.m. Friday to the 3600 block of North Dearborn Street to investigate shots fired.

They found evidence of shots being fired, but couldn’t find a victim. They later located two men shot just a few blocks away in the 3500 block of North Lasalle Street.

The men were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Police say one man was not shot and only had a laceration, but unfortunately, the other victim was pronounced shortly after arriving at the hospital.

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IMPD identified the man on Monday as 25-year-old Jasper Dugan.

Officers continued their investigation and identified two suspects, Jesse Williams, 27, and Royeon Spells, 22. Both men were later arrested.

Police say the Marion Count Prosecutor’s Office will make the final charging decisions.

Anyone with information on the shooting was asked to contact Det. David Miller at the IMPD Homicide Office at 317-327-3475 or by email at David.Miller2@indy.gov.

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What Colts’ Shane Steichen said when asked if Joe Flacco will remain QB: ‘Right now, yes’

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What Colts’ Shane Steichen said when asked if Joe Flacco will remain QB: ‘Right now, yes’


MINNEAPOLIS — The Colts made a seismic, difficult decision to bench young, developmental quarterback Anthony Richardson and start 39-year-old Joe Flacco at the game’s most important position.

Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen cited one reason above all else for the move.

The Colts coach believed Flacco gave his team the best chance to win now.

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Flacco’s first game in the starting role did not necessarily provide evidence to reinforce that belief. Indianapolis took a 21-13 loss at the hands of the Vikings on NBC’S “Sunday Night Football,” largely because the offense turned in arguably its worst performance of the season.

Indianapolis picked up a season-low 227 yards, failed to score a touchdown and could not capitalize despite a defense that forced three turnovers. Kenny Moore II provided the Colts’ lone touchdown on a 38-yard scoop-and-score of a Grover Stewart strip-sack in the first half.

In light of the team’s struggles, Steichen was asked if Flacco will still be the Indianapolis starting quarterback.

“Right now, yes,” Steichen said.

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The Colts head coach was also asked if he still believes Flacco gives the team the best chance to win.

“Right now, yes,” Steichen said.

Flacco struggled against Minnesota’s defense.

Indianapolis largely handled the Vikings blitz-happy scheme, refusing to allow a sack until the final, last-ditch drive. Even with time to throw, Flacco completed just 16 of 27 passes for 179 yards, and he threw a back-breaking interception in the second half on a key third down.

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The Colts have also struggled with Richardson at the helm. Richardson has completed a league-worst 44.4% of his passes, thrown seven interceptions and posted a league-worst quarterback rating of 57.2, but he has a penchant for the explosive play.

The move to Flacco was supposed to stabilize the Indianapolis offense.

Instead, it ground to a halt, leading to some of the same problems that have been there all season. Indianapolis could not keep drives going, leading to Minnesota holding the ball for 36:54, a time of possession that allowed the Vikings to take advantage of a tired Colts defense in the end.

With that in mind, Steichen was asked if the shifts back and forth from Richardson to Flacco to Richardson to Flacco have hampered the offense’s ability to build an identity.

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“I don’t think so,” Steichen said. “You just go, it’s like with any position. You’ve got to roll and get the next guy up. Obviously, Joe went in there tonight for us.”

Steichen did not place much blame at Flacco’s feet after the game.

In typical fashion, Steichen put most of the blame on himself.

“We’ll go back and look at it,” Steichen said. “There might have been a few completions here and there that he could have had, but again, he’s a calm guy that’s been playing at a high level for a long time. Obviously, a lot of faith in him.”



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