Richard Meier steps down from firm after sexual harrassment allegations

Our daily round-up of news from the art world

Richard Meier steps down from firm after sexual harrassment allegations | The Pritzker Prize-winning architect Richard Meier, founder of Richard Meier & Partners, is stepping down from the leadership of the firm, The New York Times reports. Meier had previously announced a six-month leave of absence in March, after five women (including former employees) accused him of sexual harassment. In a statement, Meier’s office confirmed that he ‘will step back from day-to-day activities’, though will ‘remain available to colleagues and clients’. Bernhard Karpf will assume the role of managing principal of the firm.

For Freedoms announces artists taking part in midterm elections project |  For Freedoms, an artist-led activist collective co-founded by Hank Willis Thomas and Eric Gottesman, has announced the artists involved in its ‘50 State Initiative’, a $1.5m public art project intended to inspire civic action before the midterm congressional elections next month. More than 300 artists, including Marilyn Minter, Tania Bruguera, Wangechi Mutu, Guerilla Girls, and Theaster Gates, have been commissioned to design billboards, which will be erected across each of the 50 US states. Mark Skidmore, a political adviser at the organisation, said that the project is ‘anti-partisan’, and does not affiliate with any particular political party.

Art Dubai appoints Chloe Vaisou as international director | Art Dubai has announced the appointment of its new international director Chloe Vaitsou, the former head of audience development for Frieze Fairs. Vaisou will take up the role in December, and will work between London and Dubai, alongside the fair’s artistic director Pablo del Val.

Newark Museum appoints Linda Harrison as director | The Newark Museum has announced today (10 October) that Linda Harrison has been appointed to the role of director. Harrison, the current director and chief executive of San Francisco’s Museum of the African Diaspora, will replace Steven Kern, who resigned late in 2017. Harrison will begin the role in January 2019.

Maria Seferian elected chair of the board at MOCA Los Angeles | The Museum of Contemporary Arts in Los Angeles has announced the election of Maria Seferian as the new chair of its board of trustees. Formerly a corporate lawyer, Seferian has been the president of the board at MOCA since 2015, and served as interim director of the museum between 2013 to 2014. Carolyn Powers, a trustee of the board since 2009, will assume the role of president of the board.