Rose Art Museum follow up

I can't say I would have predicted this - although it doesn't surprise me. Regardless, I'm a little shocked at how quickly Brandeis University's president, Jehuda Reinharz, has changed direction. As reported in the Boston Globe by Geoff Edgers (read it here), now Brandeis is not deaccessioning its Museum's collections to cover a budget short fall. The Museum, however, is still scheduled to close, but the art stays.  Remarkable.

Good to see a little public outcry can actually make a difference in the preservation of historically important artwork. Too bad the institution still gets chopped. In his knee jerk response to the bad press, Reinharz still misses the bigger point: keep the art accessible and do not close the Rose Art Museum.  Maybe tomorrow he'll come to this clearer realization.

For a nicely written perspective on this whole fiasco, read Tyler Green's recent recap here. Tyler has also been kind enough to comment on and post Reinhharz's email in response. Read it here.