David A. Ross has resigned as chair of the master’s degree program in art practice at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York. His resignation follows the publication of correspondence with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, whose criminal activities have been widely reported. Epstein, who died in August 2019 while awaiting trial on charges related to sex trafficking, was the subject of a trove of documents released by the Department of Justice last month, including approximately sixty letters exchanged between him and Ross.
Before his tenure at SVA, which began in 2009, Ross held prominent positions as the director of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, and the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. His involvement with Epstein reportedly began in the 1990s, as he sought to build relationships with influential individuals who could support the Whitney, where he was employed at the time.
In a letter to the New York Times, Ross confirmed that he had initiated contact with Epstein in 2008, shortly after Epstein was incarcerated for soliciting minors and adults for prostitution. The correspondence continued for several years, even after Ross learned in 2015 that Epstein was under investigation for similar charges.
One particularly controversial email from 2009 revealed Ross’s response to an exhibition proposal by Epstein titled “Statutory,” which suggested featuring underage models who would be styled to appear older. Ross’s reply included the comment, “You are incredible!” He also made reference to a notorious photograph of a young Brooke Shields taken by Richard Prince in 1983, which further highlighted the troubling nature of their exchanges.
In his statement, Ross expressed regret for his previous interactions with Epstein, stating that he had believed the financier’s claims that the charges against him were politically motivated due to his support for former President Bill Clinton. Ross characterized himself as “mortified” and “ashamed” upon learning the full extent of Epstein’s crimes. “I continue to be appalled by his crimes and remain deeply concerned for its many victims,” he stated.
The School of Visual Arts confirmed to the New York Times that it accepted Ross’s resignation “immediately,” marking a significant shift in leadership for the program. The fallout from this revelation underscores the complexities surrounding professional relationships in the art world, particularly those that intersect with controversial figures. As institutions grapple with their histories, the implications of such associations continue to resonate within the broader cultural landscape.
