Indianapolis, IN

Newfields faces questions, yet another CEO search after sudden departure

Published

1 year ago

November 14, 2023

Newfields faces questions, yet another CEO search after sudden departure

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

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.

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.

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.

“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.”

Looking for things to do? Our newsletter has the best concerts, art, shows and more — and the stories behind them

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

Colts vs Titans TV coverage map in NFL Week 16

Published

5 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

Colts vs Titans TV coverage map in NFL Week 16

The Indianapolis Colts host the Tennessee Titans in NFL Week 16 action as the Colts try to remain in the AFC playoff race.

The CBS game will be shown in only the Indianapolis and Nashville NFL markets. It will also air in much of Indiana, Illinois and Tennessee, and in parts of Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia.

When do the Colts play the Titans in NFL Week 16?

1 p.m. ET Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis

How to watch Colts vs Titans in NFL Week 16

CBS, with Tom McCarthy (play-by-play), and Ross Tucker and Jay Feely (analysis).

How to stream, watch Titans-Colts game for NFL Week 16

The Colts-Broncos matchup will stream on Paramount+ at 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. The app is available in the Apple App Store or on Google Play. Fans can also download NFL+ in the Apple App Store or on Google Play.

Colts 2024 schedule

all times ET

Sept. 8: Texans 29, Colts 27

Sept. 15: Packers 16, Colts 10

Sept. 22: Colts 21, Bears 16

Sept. 29: Colts 27, Steelers 24

Oct. 6: Jaguars 37, Colts 34

Oct. 13: Colts 20, Titans 17

Oct. 20: Colts 16, Dolphins 10

Oct. 27: Texans 23, Colts 20

Nov. 3: Vikings 21, Colts 13

Nov. 10: Bills 30, Colts 20

Nov. 17: Colts 28, Jets 27

Nov. 24: Lions 24, Colts 6

Dec. 1: Colts 25, Patriots 24

Dec. 15: Broncos 31, Colts 13

Dec. 22: vs. Tennessee, 1 p.m., CBS

Dec. 29: at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m., Fox

Jan. 5: vs. Jacksonville, TBD

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Indianapolis, IN

Analyst Predicts Close Call Between Titans, Colts

Published

13 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Press Room

Analyst Predicts Close Call Between Titans, Colts

The Tennessee Titans may be out of the playoff picture, but they find themselves in a big game against their AFC South rival Indianapolis Colts.

The Titans can play spoiler for the Colts, who need to win to hold onto their faint playoff hopes, by eliminating them from playoff contention in a win.

However, CBS Sports writer Pete Prisco doesn’t believe that will end up being the case. He predicts that the Colts will pull out a 24-17 win against the Titans.

“The Colts are alive in the playoff race — barely. The Titans are done and might be making a quarterback change. The Colts did some good things in losing to the Broncos last week in a game they should have won. They bounce back here. Colts take it,” Prisco writes.

The Titans are certainly an underdog considering the fact that they are on the road and have won only three games all year long.

However, we have seen how difficult it can be for divisional opponents to sweep a season series, and the Colts came away with the win when the two teams met in Nashville during Week 6.

The Titans are coming into the game with a massive chip on their shoulder and a new source of energy with Mason Rudolph taking over as the starting quarterback after Will Levis was demoted earlier in the week.

The Titans have the ingredients necessary for a win against the Colts, but they still have to execute their plan in order to leave Indy on a happy flight home to Tennessee.

The Titans and Colts are set to kickoff at 12 noon CT tomorrow inside Lucas Oil Stadium. The game can be watched on CBS or streamed on Paramount+.

Make sure you bookmark Tennessee Titans on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

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Indianapolis, IN

Colts’ Most Crucial X-Factors for Titans Clash

Published

21 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Press Room

Colts’ Most Crucial X-Factors for Titans Clash

The Indianapolis Colts (6-8) are prepped for an AFC South clash at home against the Tennessee Titans (3-11), with still plenty on the line. If the Colts win this game, their slim playoff hopes stay alive at 15%. However, a loss destroys every probability of this happening, dropping Shane Steichen’s troops to 1% (NFL.com).

What this means is Anthony Richardson, Jonathan Taylor, and the offensive line must operate better than against the Denver Broncos, but the defense and Gus Bradley must carry over their performance at Mile High.

With Indy’s 15th game nearly here, these are the two X-Factors for the offense and defense (minus Richardson) most crucial to Indianapolis walking out of Lucas Oil with their seventh win on the season and with postseason aspirations still breathing.

Offense | Josh Downs

Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (all-white uniform) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Jets (green uniform).

Nov 17, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (1) celebrates his touchdown against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images / Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Colts’ second-year wide receiver Josh Downs has emerged as the most reliable target for Steichen’s offense throughout 2024. The former North Carolina Tarheel has reeled 56 catches on 86 targets for 626 receiving yards (11.2 average) and four touchdowns.

After being sidelined with a shoulder injury, Downs is ready to bounce back from his underwhelming three-catch, 32-yard performance at Mile High. The Titans are a gritty defense, and Downs will face off against Tennessee’s slot cornerback Roger McCreary. Downs dominated in the first meeting, catching seven of nine targets from Joe Flacco for 66 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Expect Richardson to look Downs’ way often, especially considering that Alec Pierce (concussion) won’t suit up for this one. While Michael Pittman Jr. and AD Mitchell will get their fair share of throws, Downs is the safety blanket and most reliable pass-catcher.

The Colts have to get Richardson into a rhythm throwing the football to help the young field general over the 50% completion hump; the best way to do that since there’s nearly no tight end receiving production is getting Downs the football. Expect at least eight-plus targets for Downs on Sunday.

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Defense | Laiatu Latu

Colts' defensive end Laiatu Latu (all-white uniform) gets ready to try and get past an offensive lineman.

Nov 17, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets offensive tackle Olu Fashanu (74) blocks against Indianapolis Colts defensive end Laiatu Latu (97) during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images / Brad Penner-Imagn Images

After a rocky start to his rookie campaign, the Colts’ rookie 15th overall selection Laiatu Latu is finding his footing in the NFL. Along with Kwity Paye, the two have combined for 10 sacks, with Latu accounting for four. Latu also has Pro Football Focus grades of 72.7 overall, 72.9 pass-rush, and 64.3 run. While the last can improve, Latu is getting to where he needs to be under Charlie Partridge.

Against the Titans, Latu will have a chance to feast on a struggling Tennessee offensive line. The Titans’ protection ranks 28th in Pro Football Focus team grades for pass-blocking (56.6), so there’s areas where Latu can exploit.

While offensive tackle JC Latham has an acceptable pass-blocking grade (66.8), he’s second on Tennessee in pressures allowed (37) behind only fellow tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere (39). Latu has a chance to wreck Mason Rudolph with constant pressures that might lead to opportunities for sacks. For the year, the former UCLA Bruin has 34 pressures and will have a clear path to success against Latham and Petit-Frere.

Expect Latu to have a field day when taking snaps against Tennessee on Sunday, with a great chance at a sack or more.

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