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.
This resignation matters because it highlights ongoing financial and leadership crises at a major university-affiliated contemporary art center. The Wexner Center's struggles—including a $2.5 million income shortfall, employee departures, and allegations of fiscal mismanagement—reflect broader challenges facing arts institutions post-pandemic. Verna's departure also underscores the impact of workplace culture and financial transparency on institutional stability, with implications for how museums navigate budget deficits and staff relations.