Philippe Vergne will step down from the LA Museum of Contemporary Art

Los Angeles's Museum of Contemporary Art announced that its current director Philippe Vergne is stepping down. A joint statement released by the museum said that both parties decided not to renew Mr. Vergne's contract, which expires in March 2019. The museum had been criticized for his lack of success in fundraising, as well as the abrupt cancellation of its annual gala. On the other hand exhibitions dedicated to the Brazilian artist Ana Maria Maiolino and Kerry James Marshall had received critical acclaim, curated by Helen Molesworth, who was suddenly fired by Mr. Vergne. A search committee including half a dozen board members has already been established. A spokesperson for the museum stressed that artists John Baldessari, Mark Bradford, Mark Grotjahn, Barbara Kruger, and Julian Opie are among the artists who serve on LA MoCA's board.