Brown University terminated both curators at the David Winton Bell Gallery—Kate Kraczon, director of exhibitions and chief curator, and Thea Quiray Tagle, associate curator—on December 4, as part of broader layoffs and austerity measures amid a financial crunch. The university eliminated 55 vacant positions and laid off 48 staff across campus, but has not publicly commented on the curators' terminations, which were confirmed via an internal message shared with ARTnews. Faculty members expressed surprise and frustration, saying they received no clear explanation beyond budget cuts, and it remains unclear who will handle future programming at the gallery.
This matters because the Bell Gallery is a key contemporary art space on campus, holding over 7,000 works and serving as a vital resource for art students and faculty. The loss of both curators—both of whom have strong track records, including Kraczon's award-winning exhibition that earned a Sotheby's Prize commendation—raises concerns about the gallery's future programming and the university's commitment to the arts during financial strain. It also reflects a broader trend of arts institutions facing cuts amid economic pressures, potentially diminishing the visibility and educational role of university galleries.