David A. Ross, a prominent museum director and chair of the MFA Art Practice program at New York's School of Visual Arts, resigned after ARTnews revealed his numerous appearances in the newly released Jeffrey Epstein files. The documents, released by the Justice Department, show correspondence between Ross and Epstein dating back to 1995, including emails where Ross offered support to Epstein after his 2008 arrest and discussed a controversial exhibition concept proposed by Epstein.
The resignation and the details within the files matter because they expose the extent of Epstein's connections within the art world's power structures and the ethical compromises made by a major institutional figure. Ross, who was director of the Whitney Museum when he met Epstein, framed their relationship as part of his duty to cultivate wealthy patrons, highlighting the ongoing tension between fundraising imperatives and moral accountability in cultural institutions.