EXCLUSIVE: Major Cutbacks at Newport Art Museum After Years of Financial Losses

EXCLUSIVE: Major Cutbacks at Newport Art Museum After Years of Financial Losses

GoLocal has learned that a number of top staff members at the Newport Art Museum have left through resignation or have been laid off.

The total number is not known, but according to multiple sources with direct knowledge and a comparison of the employee directories, numerous key individuals have left the Museum, founded more than 110 years ago.

According to publicly facing tax filings, the Museum has been running significant financial losses for years.

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Since May, four of the top 14 senior staffers are no longer listed on the directory.

According to the Museum, it was founded on the “belief that art is a civilizing influence and an essential component to creating vibrant communities. Charter members included Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, Pulitzer-Prize winning author Maud Howe Elliott, Louisa Sturtevant, and other artists and intellectuals.” 

Now, it is in a period of financial and personnel transition.

Some tell GoLocal that the loss of key members of the curation department is devastating.

Specifically, since May, former staffers who are no longer listed on the directory include the long-time Director of Curatorial Affairs and Chief Curator Francine Weiss, who had been at the Museum for eight years.

Danny LuLu also is no longer listed; he served as the preparator.

 

Ogden in Charge

Today, the museum is being run by Danielle Ogden, who holds an MA in Art History and Certification in Museum Studies from Boston University and an E.dM in Education from Harvard University, according to her bio.

She took over in 2023; previously, she was on the Visual and Performing Arts faculty at Fairfield University, teaching Modern and Contemporary Art and the History, Theory and Practice of Museums.

In June of this year, under Ogden, the Museum launched a new strategic plan which stated in part, "NAM’s success is rooted in its dedication to reflection, adaptability, embracing a growth mindset, and its unwavering commitment to the ever-expanding community of members, supporters, and stakeholders."

Ogden did not respond to questions about staffing or financial losses. GoLocal tried to reach her by email and left messages at the Museum.

 

Financial Losses Getting Worse

According to the museum’s last five years of available 990 tax forms, Newport Art Museum has had a negative net income each year.

In total, the amount of net losses are just under $2 million — $1,968,682 and growing.

The biggest loss year was in the most recently reported 990 — 2022, when the Newport Art Museum had a net operating of $597,091.

 

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