An interim report from a committee exploring the future of the embattled Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University has left some supporters with more questions than answers.
Brandeis University is "not closing" the Rose Art Museum and selling its collection, according to a report from the Future of the Rose Committee dated April 30.
The report goes on to explain that "it remains a possibility that some (art) will be sold."
The Future of the Rose Committee was created in March with the charge of exploring options for the museum's future. The 11 member committee is made up of Brandies professors and various board members, including the Board of Trustees, Rose Board of Overseers and the Brandeis Arts Council.
Rose family member Meryl Rose, who is also on the museum's Board of Overseers, said the report provides little insight on the museum's fate and she questions the committee's validity.
"It's a lot of (public relations). They basically say in one breath we are not authorized to make financial decisions yet they talk about the museum's finances," she said. "Then they say they are not authorized to make a decision about the sale of artwork yet they talk about it."
Conflicting messages on the museum's fate from Brandeis officials have been met with opposition since the university's Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Jan. 26 to close the museum by late summer to survive a troubled economy.
The decision sparked an worldwide outcry from the art community and Brandeis students and faculty.
Rose supporters have staged protests and searched for ways to save the museum, while university officials release varying messages regarding the museum's future use, which include using some portion of the space as an arts teaching center and exhibition gallery.
"As a family member of the Rose, we don't think they can do that. The Rose Art Museum was made an art museum in perpetuity," Rose said. "What they have said is it is going to remain a museum, but what they are doing is not keeping it a museum, they are turning it into something else."
The museum is expected to remain open during the summer, a decision that was announced by university officials last month.
Brandies graduate student Brian Friedberg described the Future of the Rose Committee as "well-intentioned, yet unqualified."
"If the school wants to become a more business- and research-oriented institution, let those of us who came here for arts and humanities know now so we can start making other plans," the cultural productions major said.
Over the past few months, Friedberg, 26, has helped organized a series of protests and discussions relating to the future of the Rose.
During a town hall forum at the museum last month, museum director Michael Rush slammed the committee stating the group was not legitimate and had no decision-making authority.
"This supposed attempt at openness and dialogue is only happening because of the disaster that was Jan. 26 and the international outcry that followed," Rush said during the forum.
The Future of the Rose Committee does not have a say in recommending which staff to retain and which works of art to keep or sell.
"The fact that (university officials) are not renewing Michael Rush's contract (which expires at the end of June) is questionable," Rose said. "His salary is underwritten by one of our most dedicated patrons, Lois Foster. They are not saving anything by removing his contract financially. What they are doing is removing someone that is passionate about the museum itself."
According to the report, the committee is gathering input from the campus community and others with the goal of making a recommendation to the university's administration about the museum's future. Ultimately, Brandeis' Board of Trustees "will determine whether or not to sell works of art from the Rose."
The committee also offers updates to the Brandeis community about the museum. The interim report states that the committee should submit a final report during the fall semester.
Rose said members of the museum's board of overseers are currently exploring legal options to determine whether the university has the right to alter the use of the museum and sell works of art.
PDF: Future of the Rose Committee report
"What is at stake is our culture," Rose said. "It's our heritage. You just don't sell your heritage. There are things in life you just don't do."
Jeff Gilbride can be reached at 781-398-8005 or at jgilbrid@cnc.com.
