Art Center leaders chose to dictate and not collaborate

Per the Feb. 20 story "Why the Des Moines Art Center decision to remove Greenwood Park artwork has caused an uproar," the overarching issue is that the Art Center’s current leadership never engaged in any meaningful conversations with the artist about strategies for restoring and maintaining the artwork. There were several emails between the artist and Art Center Director Kelly Baum between late October and early November about the condition of the installation. Mary Miss had one Zoom call with Baum in mid-November and came away with believing there was a path for restoration. Then, on Dec. 1, Baum notified Miss by email that the work would be torn down and that the decision was final. That’s when any possible “good faith” negotiations about restoration abruptly ended.

This was not a mutual decision following a deliberative process with Miss. The artist was completely blindsided when Baum told her “we do not and will not ever have the money to remake it.” In other words, the Art Center’s leadership has no interest in having any discussions and pursuing any options that could lead to restoration. Mary had no hint that demolition was being considered and had no input into any of the discussions that resulted in that decision, and that appears to be a breach of contract.

Charles A. Birnbaum, president and CEO, the Cultural Landscape Foundation, Washington, D.C.