The Museo de Arte Moderno de Bogotá (Mambo) is in a leadership crisis after its director, Martha Ortiz, resigned amid accusations of harassment and creating a toxic work environment. Her departure follows the dismissal of artistic director Eugenio Viola in February, which sparked an open letter signed by over 140 cultural figures demanding transparency. The museum's board chair, Ángela Royo, and financial manager Francy Hernández are temporarily overseeing operations while searches for both director and artistic director are underway.
This crisis matters because it exposes deep governance failures at one of Colombia's most prominent art institutions, eroding trust with the artistic community. The handling of Viola's firing—announced on social media with comments disabled—and the delayed response to harassment allegations have damaged Mambo's legitimacy. The outcome will test whether the museum can restore its reputation and rebuild relationships with artists, curators, and the public through transparent, ethical leadership.