Sasha Suda, the chief executive of the Philadelphia Art Museum, has been dismissed from her position.

The Philadelphia Art Museum has abruptly removed its director, Sasha Suda, effective immediately, following a meeting of the museum’s board. Suda, who was nearing the completion of her three-year tenure in a five-year contract, did not comment on her dismissal during the board’s emergency meeting. The museum now faces the challenge of filling the leadership void created by her departure.

While the exact reasons behind Suda’s termination remain unclear, recent months have seen a rise in internal tensions within the institution. Notably, several board members expressed worries regarding the public’s response to the museum’s recent renaming and rebranding efforts, which were implemented without final approval from the board. Furthermore, a significant decision to pause the Philadelphia Show, a prestigious antiques and design exhibition, raised questions about the future direction of the museum’s programming.

Like many cultural institutions, the Philadelphia Art Museum has struggled with attendance since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. While many museums have reported a recovery in visitor numbers, the Philadelphia Art Museum continues to see lower figures. These challenges are compounded by financial difficulties, as the institution has operated at a deficit for several years and anticipates another loss in the current fiscal year.

Suda’s leadership was marked by ambitious plans, including a significant exhibition titled “A Nation of Artists,” which aims to showcase works from the collection of John and Leigh Middleton and is expected to open in spring. Additionally, Suda had aimed to enhance the museum’s facilities by proposing a new education center designed by the renowned architect Frank Gehry, addressing urgent maintenance needs at the museum.

Despite these initiatives, the Philadelphia Art Museum remains in a precarious position. The Ruth and Raymond G. Perelman Building, which was a key part of the museum’s expansion strategy, has not reopened post-pandemic. The museum operates on reduced staffing levels and limited hours, lagging behind other major institutions in cities like Boston and Cleveland.

Moreover, reports suggest that the museum’s endowment is underfunded, estimated to be only half of what is typically expected for an institution of its size. Staffing issues have also plagued the museum, with numerous departures across various departments, including marketing, public relations, and curatorial teams. A particularly notable exit was that of Carlos Basualdo, the former chief curator, whose departure has not been publicly acknowledged by the museum.

As the Philadelphia Art Museum navigates this tumultuous period, it is evident that the next steps for leadership and organizational stability will be critical for its future success.

This is a developing story and will be updated.