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.”

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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.