Latest MoMA Expansion Adds Fuel for Critics of Museum Chief

The impending demolition of the former American Folk Art Museum Building in Manhattan to make room for the Museum of Modern Art’s growth is exacerbating longstanding criticism of MoMa leader Glenn D. Lowry, writes The New York Times.

Some artists, architects, critics, and patrons contend the latest expansion continues a trend that has seen the museum turn away from its artistic mission to embrace populist programming and corporate-style growth during Mr. Lowry’s nearly 20-year tenure. The expansion starting construction on Tuesday is MoMA’s second in a decade.

Under Mr. Lowry, who earns $1.8-million a year, the museum has increased exhibition space by nearly 50 percent and quadrupled its endowment to almost $1-billion. “If we were being criticized for being timid, that would upset me,” he said, adding that he is not deeply concerned about criticism that “we’ve engaged spectacle or we engage popular culture in interesting ways.”