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person people schedule Oct 30, 2025 visibility 20 link 2 artists, 1 gallery

embattled director of wexner center for the arts resigns

Gaëtane Verna, executive director of the Wexner Center for the Arts at Ohio State University, has resigned effective immediately. Her resignation follows a report by the Columbus Dispatch revealing a $1.1 million deficit for fiscal year 2024 and a formal letter of no confidence signed by more than a dozen employees. The letter cited high turnover, organizational dysfunction, financial instability, and reputational harm under Verna's leadership, which began in August 2022. Senior vice provost Trevor Brown will guide the transition until an interim leader is named.

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article news schedule Oct 24, 2025 visibility 10 link 1 artist

wexner center staff sent no confidence letter director

Staff at the Wexner Center for the Arts at Ohio State University sent a letter of no confidence in executive director Gaëtane Verne to university officials on August 25, 2023, as reported by Columbus outlet Matter News. The letter, signed by 13 employees, alleges high turnover, organizational dysfunction, financial instability, and reputational harm under Verne's leadership. Specific complaints include a "red card" for financial turmoil, a $1 million capital project lacking transparency, and over $200,000 spent on exhibition catalogues without proper budgeting. Since Verne's appointment in November 2022, nearly 50% of staff have departed, and seven Foundation Board trustees have resigned. Ohio State is reviewing the letter, while Verne has defended her leadership as fostering a respectful workplace.

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article policy schedule May 22, 2026 visibility 4 link 2 artists

Workers Push to Rename Wexner Center for the Arts Over Epstein Ties

Unionized staff at Ohio State University's Wexner Center for the Arts, organized as Wex Workers United, have officially called for the renaming of the arts center and other campus buildings named after billionaire benefactor Les Wexner. The union argues that Wexner's name, due to his decades-long association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein—who had power of attorney over Wexner's fortune—harms artists and community members. The call follows similar demands from the Ohio Nurses Association regarding the Wexner Medical Center and ongoing student protests, including an April 10 action where students covered Wexner's name on the art center's façade with a black tarp. OSU spokesperson Chris Booker noted that over 500 renaming requests have been filed under the university's official review procedure, while OSU President Ted Carter has emphasized that name changes require fact-finding and cannot be based on supposition.

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