Michael M. Thomas, author, journalist and verteran artworld commentator, responds to Bricks-and-Mortar Morass: Cleveland Desecrates Donor Intent:
As someone who has been around the professional art world for 50 years (beginning, way back when, as a curatorial assistant in European paintings at the Metropolitan Museum), I must say I don’t think Cleveland’s action is cause for this much keening and rending of garments. No art museum in America has adhered for as long to the highest cultural and ethical standards.
This is clearly an emergency. They need to finish their building. They need to get the money somewhere. “Donor intent” is a mysterious quantity. Are we hearing from the heirs or connections of the donors of the funds Cleveland proposes to “invade”?
High horses are all very well, but sometimes can run pretty rank when one gets real.