‘Change the Board and Get Rid of the Director’
The quote from New York City cultural affairs commissioner Luis Cancel became the title of this award-winning investigation into the Hispanic Society of America, a treasure trove of Spanish art and books on Manhattan’s Upper West Side
Published September 1993, the story won Silurians Press Club award in Arts & Culture Reporting and a National Headliner Award. After protests sparked by the article, the director and the head of the board ended up leaving the museum.
Robin spoke to dozens of scholars and experts for her investigation, but it was the comments Hispanic Society leadership made on the record that sparked the controversy and protests. The story reported:
“We have no outreach whatsoever,” director Theodore Beardsley said. “We're not into social welfare. We're not into elementary or secondary education." Nor would the local community be interested in the society, he argues. "You're talking about a very low level of culture. You're talking about maybe literacy. And so it doesn't matter whether it's a collection of Spanish art or Greek art or any other kind. They don't care. You don't even have to go to the Caribbean resentment of Spain to explain the total lack of interest."
Robin covers a demonstration that responded to her original article.
Robin’s Newsday op-ed on the Hispanic Society.
