The trustees of the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead are considering a management restructure following the departure of director Peter Doroshenko for the Pinchuk Art Centre in Kiev, Ukraine, in November.
One option being considered, according to a source close to the gallery, is to create a new role of chief executive, responsible for managing the museum, with a curatorial or programme director reporting to them.
Baltic chairman Ian Wrigglesworth said: "We are reviewing the whole structure. The review is in progress and we are considering everything." Any changes will be in place by the end of this financial year, he added.
Doroshenko's departure came only months after a staff survey found that many felt his management style caused "concern and fear", leading them to "call into question his leadership abilities".
The report also questioned the management style of former head of programme Jerome Sans, following trade union Unison's description
of the gallery's working environment as "a climate of fear". Sans also left in November.
A series of resignations prior to Doroshenko's exit has left the Baltic with an interim director and only one curator, who is also the acting head of programme. Such has been the exodus from the gallery that a Survivors of Baltic group on Facebook already has 30 members.
Doroshenko was also criticised for his decision to curate the Ukrainian pavilion at last year's Venice Biennale, with one insider commenting: "There was surprise that he had time to devote to such a high-profile event at the same time as directing the Baltic."
Unison's regional officer, Sheila Wilson, said: "We now want to concentrate on the financial challenges over the next year or two. We want to move on with the board and have joint involvement in processes and planning."
Patrick Steel
One option being considered, according to a source close to the gallery, is to create a new role of chief executive, responsible for managing the museum, with a curatorial or programme director reporting to them.
Baltic chairman Ian Wrigglesworth said: "We are reviewing the whole structure. The review is in progress and we are considering everything." Any changes will be in place by the end of this financial year, he added.
Doroshenko's departure came only months after a staff survey found that many felt his management style caused "concern and fear", leading them to "call into question his leadership abilities".
The report also questioned the management style of former head of programme Jerome Sans, following trade union Unison's description
of the gallery's working environment as "a climate of fear". Sans also left in November.
A series of resignations prior to Doroshenko's exit has left the Baltic with an interim director and only one curator, who is also the acting head of programme. Such has been the exodus from the gallery that a Survivors of Baltic group on Facebook already has 30 members.
Doroshenko was also criticised for his decision to curate the Ukrainian pavilion at last year's Venice Biennale, with one insider commenting: "There was surprise that he had time to devote to such a high-profile event at the same time as directing the Baltic."
Unison's regional officer, Sheila Wilson, said: "We now want to concentrate on the financial challenges over the next year or two. We want to move on with the board and have joint involvement in processes and planning."
Patrick Steel
