Tense climate in Philadelphia, U.S., where it was revealed why the Philadelphia Art Museum fired then-director and museum ad Alexandra “Sasha” Suda a few weeks ago. Shortly after her dismissal, Suda, as revealed by the New York Times, had sued the museum accusing the institution of unfair dismissal and unfair treatment, and initial rumors had leaked to the Philadelphia Inquirer about an investigation into the former director’s behavior, an investigation described as “serious” by the newspaper, since a board of such importance would not end up firing its most important member unless there was a very significant issue involved. The dispute between the former director and the institution itself, as revealed by the American press in recent hours, has entered a crucial phase with the filing of a motion by the museum denying allegations of unfair dismissal and claiming that Suda was removed for serious contractual violations. Indeed, the museum argues that the dismissal of the former director, who was fired by a unanimous vote of the board of directors, was not without merit, but occurred for cause following a “thorough investigation.” The museum accuses the former CEO of misappropriating museum funds and lying repeatedly to cover up what is described in the motion as “theft.”
At the center of the museum’s allegations is Suda’s salary, which amounted to $720,000 a year. Although the former director had repeatedly requested salary increases from the institution, these requests were allegedly denied. Despite the denials and knowing that changing her compensation was in the “sole and absolute discretion” of the board, Suda, according to the board’s indictment, allegedly self-conceded three unauthorized salary increases: two in 2024 and a third in July 2025. The museum alleges that Suda never informed the board of these increases.
However, Sasha Suda, who was in the third year of a five-year contract, has already rejected the allegations, claiming that her dismissal was due to opposition from part of the board to her work to modernize the museum (which resulted in a controversial rebranding campaign), as well as disagreements over the appointment of some board members.
Suda’s lawyer, Luke Nikas, dismissed the museum’s allegations, labeling them “false”: in an email sent to ArtNEWS magazine, he said these are the “same allegations recycled from the baseless investigation that the museum constructed as a pretext for Suda’s unfair dismissal. The motion, as well as its false narrative, fits the Philadelphia Museum’s well-established strategy of trying to hide its misconduct and mistreatment of staff. We expected that the Museum would prefer to hide the sordid details of Sasha Suda’s illegitimate treatment in a confidential arbitration. If the Museum had nothing to hide, it would not have been afraid to take legal action in the state court where we filed the case.” A source close to Suda had previously reported that the $39,000 increase Suda received over a two-year period had been authorized. Suda’s complaint mentioned that the investigation had looked into expenses that had already been approved by the audit chief, board-sponsored club memberships, and travel costs incurred for events she attended in the interest of the museum.
The battle concerns not only the reasons for the dismissal, but also the venue of the legal proceedings. Suda, who filed the suit in a Pennsylvania state court, is seeking two years’ severance pay, additional damages and a jury trial. The museum, however, has filed a motion to force resolution of the dispute through private and confidential arbitration. The museum cites a clause in Suda’s employment contract requiring that all claims be resolved by arbitration, denying the applicability of the “injunction” exception invoked by Suda in order to proceed in state court.
Following Suda’s removal, Daniel Weiss was appointed as the new CEO of the Philadelphia Art Museum, effective Dec. 1.
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| Philadelphia Museum of Art, dispute between museum and former director. Accusations of embezzlement. |
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