Staff Turmoil Roils Leaderless San Francisco Museums

The New York Times reports on internal strife disrupting San Francisco’s largest public cultural entity, the Fine Arts Museums, since the death 15 months ago of its director.

The institution, which consists of the de Young Museum and the Legion of Honor Museum, has yet to replace John Buchanan, who died in December 2011. The period since has seen several leading longtime staff members fired and other workers leak internal communications to embarrass management.

Some trustees and donors blame the turmoil on board President Diane B. Wilsey, a noted Bay Area philanthropist and art collector. Critics contend she exerts too much behind-the-scenes control over the museums. Ms. Wilsey and her defenders say the museums operate transparently and that a new director is to be named within weeks.