The Nassau County Museum of Art appointed an interim director after not renewing the contract of its former director due to a difference in priorities for the museum.
Fernanda Bennett, who has been working at the museum for 38 years and is the collections manager and deputy director, was appointed as the museum’s interim director.
“I’m more of the person who you don’t see on the surface but makes sure that everything is running,” Bennett said.
In the interim position, Bennet said she will maintain the overall operational aspects of the museum and liaise with guest curators until a permanent director is implemented.
“I’m going to do what I can to keep the museum operating and moving in a positive direction,” Bennett said. “I’ve been here for many decades, I know all about all the departments, all the trustees. I have worked on hundreds upon hundreds of exhibitions and I’ve developed a reputation for being able to get projects done in a timely manner and on budget.”
Bennett said that former director Charles A. Riley II’s contract was renewed periodically and was facing renewal in August.
She said Riley and the museum’s board of trustees did not “see eye to eye” on the museum’s future goals and activities, thus the board decided not to renew his contract last month.
Riley served as the museum’s director for six years.
Bennett said the decision was made by the board but is uncertain whether the decision was made mutually with Riley.
Efforts to contact Riley were unavailing.
The museum’s chief development officer, Michael Gurtowski, also said there was a difference in opinion about the museum’s priorities between Riley and the board.
Gurtowski said that while Riley excelled as an art historian and had a depth of knowledge about arts to impart to the museum, the board was looking to take a more holistic approach to directing the museum.
This included focusing on other aspects of what the museum officers, such as its venue services and the cultural landscape of the museum’s land.
He said the board is looking to implement a new director that will focus on all of the museum’s programs.
Fernanda said she will be working with the board’s executive committee in the coming weeks to discuss the search for a new director.
She said that while she plans to stay with the museum, she does not have the academic background like Riley and other previous directors to fulfill the position in the long term.
“I’m more interested in seeing the museum grow and succeed,” Bennett said. “We have many projects that we’ve been working on and I want to see them come to fruition.”
This is a huge loss for the museum and the community. Dr. Riley was an incredible leader who inspired others to see aesthetics differently through the innovative exhibits, seminars, and lively interactive lectures he brought to Long Island. He was devoted to maintaining the museum’s 145 acres and many sculptures were added to the grounds under his leadership.
As published by *this very paper* in the article “Charles A. Riley II, PhD, director of the Nassau County Museum of Art” on February 3, 2022, Dr. Riley “turned around its finances, balancing the budget for the first time in history, built attendance, expanded the programs both in-person and online, and created a master plan for its future, including a cultural landscape plan for the nationally listed arboretum.
As important as the operational progress, he has labored to improve the institution’s reputation for transparency, social responsibility (including stewardship of the 145 acres of the nature preserve) and community service.
Keeping the grounds open throughout the pandemic, and re-opening the museum in July 2020 for the benefit of those who needed great art in their lives (many of the visitors are first responders and medical staff from local hospitals), he budgeted in order to make sure his staff remained in their jobs…”
Dr. Riley was doing the job of two people, Director and Curator, not an easy task but one he dove into with the energy of two people and an infectious joy of learning. He had several ideas in the works for upcoming exhibits that were original and exciting, and Long Island will ache from that loss. With his far-reaching art-world relationships and clean business connections abruptly cut off, it will be a long, long time — if ever — till this lovely museum recovers from this misstep.
What’s up?
This is a huge loss for the museum and the community. Dr. Riley was an incredible leader who inspired others to see aesthetics differently through the innovative exhibits, seminars, and lively interactive lectures he brought to Long Island. He was devoted to maintaining the museum’s 145 acres and many sculptures were added to the grounds under his leadership.
As published by *this very paper* in the article “Top Business Leaders: Charles A. Riley II, PhD, director of the Nassau County Museum of Art” on February 3, 2022, Dr. Riley “turned around its finances, balancing the budget for the first time in history, built attendance, expanded the programs both in-person and online, and created a master plan for its future, including a cultural landscape plan for the nationally listed arboretum.
As important as the operational progress, he has labored to improve the institution’s reputation for transparency, social responsibility (including stewardship of the 145 acres of the nature preserve) and community service.
Keeping the grounds open throughout the pandemic, and re-opening the museum in July 2020 for the benefit of those who needed great art in their lives (many of the visitors are first responders and medical staff from local hospitals), he budgeted in order to make sure his staff remained in their jobs…”
Dr. Riley was doing the job of two people, Director and Curator, not an easy task but one he dove into with the energy of two people and an infectious joy of learning. He had several ideas in the works for upcoming exhibits that were original and exciting, and Long Island will ache from that loss. With his far-reaching art-world relationships and clean business connections abruptly cut off, it will be a long, long time — if ever — till this lovely museum recovers from this misstep.
Agreed
This is a huge loss for the museum and the community. Dr. Riley was an incredible leader who inspired others to see aesthetics differently through the innovative exhibits, seminars, and lively interactive lectures he brought to Long Island. He was devoted to maintaining the museum’s 145 acres and many sculptures were added to the grounds under his leadership.
As previously published in the article “Top Business Leaders: Charles A. Riley II, PhD, director of the Nassau County Museum of Art” on February 3, 2022, Dr. Riley “turned around its finances, balancing the budget for the first time in history, built attendance, expanded the programs both in-person and online, and created a master plan for its future, including a cultural landscape plan for the nationally listed arboretum.
As important as the operational progress, he has labored to improve the institution’s reputation for transparency, social responsibility (including stewardship of the 145 acres of the nature preserve) and community service.
Keeping the grounds open throughout the pandemic, and re-opening the museum in July 2020 for the benefit of those who needed great art in their lives (many of the visitors are first responders and medical staff from local hospitals), he budgeted in order to make sure his staff remained in their jobs…”
Dr. Riley was doing the job of two people, Director and Curator, not an easy task but one he dove into with the energy of two people and an infectious joy of learning. He had several ideas in the works for upcoming exhibits that were original and exciting, and Long Island will ache from that loss. With his far-reaching art-world relationships and clean business connections abruptly cut off, it will be a long, long time — if ever — till this lovely museum recovers from this misstep.
Mr. Walk says it all. The museum needs new blood to do away with any personal interest. It is after all a public funded institution. It should not be handled as if “working here a long time” becomes a ticket to perpetuity. Check the linked response from other true art lovers:
https://theisland360.com/readers-write/readers-write-nassau-county-museum-of-arts-big-blunder-in-not-renewing-rileys-contract/
As a long term museum member, volunteer and donor. I deeply understand our museum’s values. Also I know how hard to run a non-profit Institution. In my mind, no matter what kind of the issues, Charlie is always there. Talking with people, bringing different ideas, art, music and lectures together. His passion of art, endless efforts and selfless spirits inspired lots of people.
One more thing I need to mention here, he is not only an art historian and curator, excellent educator, but also a deeper thinker of this place he grown up. He has a big picture of combining outside artistic sculptures, arboretum and formal garden with interior art exhibition.
He is totally an asset to the museum and community. Hard to value his ideas, “everyone can be inspired by art.” And he always stays on the public side. I am wondering what kind of the views the board has. Many people expressed their oppositions.
Dr. Charlie Riley is a director with such selfless sacrifice and pure dedication to public service. I don’t understand “Riley and the museum’s board of trustees did not ‘see eye to eye’ on the museum’s future goals and activities”. To the public, docents, volunteers, and donors, Dr. Riley steadfastly held the following for the museum, its communities, disadvantaged/marginalized groups, and for children with disabilities:
1. Advocating for waiving admission fees for residents with library passes. These residents can enjoy free museum access with a library pass
2. Advocating for free public entrance to the parking lot so people can take advantage of the gardens, trails, and the museum. During COVID, Nassau Museum was the only open public space for people from the tri-state area. Dr. Riley, who has chronic asthma, was on the campus every day.
3. Championing art projects dedicated to supporting autistic children at the Manes Center.
4. Dedicating substantial time to crafting grant proposals aimed at revitalizing the garden’s landscaping. And the museum received a grant for revitalizing the ground’s natural setting and a bee keeper is now producing honey right from the museum’s wild flower project.
totally agree
This really is a sad loss for the museum, every time I am at the museum, Charlie is either giving a group of student a tour of museums with such enthusiasm with such positive energy to showcase his love for the arts. Or Charlie is giving a tour to his members, or working on the museum grounds on some issues, he seems to always be engaged with the community and to share his passion and love for the arts with as many people as he can. This kind of positive energy is not something most people have and Charlie has the special gift to positivity influence everyone around to love art and music. It’s a sad loss for the museum to loss that amazing energy and what it brings to the members.
Thank you for publishing this sad news which brought questions to our mind by the two museum representatives. While we are all fully aware of routine fire and hire decision making as part of the workforce. This one however begs questions for the board’s abrupt decision. We all saw Dr. Riley at work one day and the next we receive a letter stating that he is no longer the director. We as a community have witnessed Dr. Riley’s dedication to the museum so when we hear Fernanda say “not seeing eye-to-eye,” we question what eye is the board seeing through or from? Dr. Riley made sure that he helped with grant writing to benefit the museum’s outdoor gardens and curated high-caliber art shows that raised the museum’s reputation. It is sad that this level of excellence is tossed out the window in such a manner. We also understand why the staff who contrinbuted to this article are without art expertise to fathom the depth of a scholar’s vision, but we would think that all can see the treatment is not civil. In light of this week being a week of rememberance, we wish to see and feel some love from all for our community and humankind. It is a great loss to the museum and our community for lose such a beautiful soul at the helm. Museum director takes scholarship, not just personal opinions of the board.
What a huge loss to the community. Looks like the current board and the Nassau County Executive want to turn this great asset into a glorified catering hall. They’ve replaced a visionary art scholar with someone who is apparently a back-office registrar.
The executive of NC, Blakeman, does not know what is going on behind the curtain, I don’t think.
I have read with interest the article dated September 6, 2023 together with copious comments regarding the tenure and subsequent dismissal/non-renewal of Dr. Charles Riley II.
My comment comes from a lowly volunteer (Docent). The volunteers are numerous and quite useful in keeping an operation such as the Museum running, given the fact that we show up, do our job and do not require pay or much attention.
Most of the volunteers were cheered by the arrival of Dr. Riley several years ago. Instead of remaining invisible, he acknowledged us and was immensely grateful for our service to the institution. He brought tremendous enthusiasm, knowledge, resourcefulness and energy to the Museum. His love for the Museum and the grounds was infectious and the strides he made with elevating the caliber of exhibitions were noted in the industry. When we make the rounds of galleries and Museums, we are greeted with a warm welcome and appreciative stories of how Dr. Riley had put the Museum on the map.
It was an awful shock for us to find out that our beloved “Charlie” had been escorted out of the building and his e-mail account cut off. The end of an era! Artists were flabbergasted. Many who had donated art to the Museum were considering asking for those pieces to be returned to them.
We realize that the board has the absolute power to not renew a contract; all we wanted to know from the board is: why? How had he failed them? What had they expected? Answers were not forthcoming. Not that we seriously expected any; after all, we are the lumpenproletariat, very expendable and inconsequential.
docents and volunteers are the main artery to keep the museum going as staffing is paltry to say the least. A director who has to do all: hauling chairs for events, being yelled at when things had little kinks such grass is too tall, etc., helping a fallen visitor to the ambulance, removing fallen trees, you name it. We witnessed all of this and now to hear someone say “holistic approach” make us cringe. How much more holistic can this director be when he has to do all aside from being the brain of the museum? I agree, WHY? HOW? It is our hope that even the staff can come out of their stupor and be realistic about the truth. Sad indeed to witness such dark side of wo/man.
Please sign this petition to renew Dr. Charles Riley’s contract: https://chng.it/RMtKnchD8Y
Totally agree with all of what posted in response! Maybe Fernanda can start thinking giving up her perch for someone who can actually do the job without Brown-nosing a board without a Vision. If she cannot taste the change brought about to the museum by the new level of excellence from Dr. Riley, we question how can she even be here for that long? The museum belongs to the community, not a few with self interest.
Mr. Walk says it all. The museum needs new blood to do away with any personal interest. It is after all a public funded institution. It should not be handled as if “working here a long time” becomes a ticket to perpetuity. Check the linked response from other true art lovers:
https://theisland360.com/readers-write/readers-write-nassau-county-museum-of-arts-big-blunder-in-not-renewing-rileys-contract/
I met Charlie on September 13th 2017 in the Stanford White-designed Payne Whitney Mansion at 972 Fifth Avenue which houses the Cultural Services of the French Embassy. He had just written a book entitled “Free as Gods” about the Jazz Age and Modernism, about art, music, literature and crazy characters. Before he signed my book, I looked at the index and saw no mention of the artist whose foundation I run. I gently asked him about it and in his flamboyant, scholarly way he proceeded in his lecture that took place minutes after, to include Lachaise no less than four times in references to Cummings, Hart Crane, and more. He then visited the original plaster models the Foundation maintains and included sculptures by Lachaise in his fantastic show on the Jazz Age “Anything Goes”.
This July, he had just opened the fantastic exhibition, Modigliani and The Modern Portrait,” with the help of Ken Wayne, and it was terrible that he was not able to finally relish the fruits of his (and Ken’s and all the staff’s and docents’) labors nor share all his knowledge with visitors. I am personally grateful to Charlie and always learn something new while in his presence or reading his writings. He is brilliant and I am sorry he is no longer at the museum. I am so excited about the catalogue he worked so hard on-a true labor of love that will be a tremendous legacy for him.
What a touching tribute to a “fallen” hero whose energy, intellect, and devotion to this museum and community are undeniable. We all understand that excellence can sometimes be construed as a threatening challenge to the safety perch many occupy at this museum for so long. But this director is exactly what is needed for this sleeping valley – time to wake up to the 21st century. This museum belongs to the community and its residents, not to those who simply work there. Without a visionary director, no art institution can become truly a cultural apex. Change is coming…. AND it should this time around.