Artist Seth Cameron, the former executive director of the Children’s Museum of the Arts (CMA) in New York City, has taken legal action against the institution, alleging breach of contract and wrongful termination. The lawsuit, filed by Cameron, sheds light on his unexpected departure from the museum in November and the subsequent disputes over his severance package.
Cameron assumed the role of executive director of CMA in February 2020, stepping into the position less than a year after the passing of the museum’s former leader, Barbara Hunt McLanahan, in June 2019. With a background in art and a track record of involvement in the arts community, including his contributions to the Bruce High-Quality Foundation artists’ collective and leadership at its art school, BHQFU, Cameron brought a wealth of experience to his role at CMA.
Court documents reveal Cameron’s significant contributions to the museum, particularly during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. He played a pivotal role in securing financial assistance for CMA, including grants and loans from the Nonprofit Finance Fund. Additionally, Cameron spearheaded a successful fundraising campaign that netted $125,000 for the institution and renegotiated the museum’s lease, purportedly saving CMA $250,000.
Despite his achievements, Cameron’s tenure abruptly ended on November 17, 2023, when the museum’s leadership terminated him. The reasons cited for his dismissal were allegedly budgetary concerns and performance issues raised by Allison Russo, who assumed the role of president of the CMA board of directors in 2023.
Notably, the lawsuit contends that Cameron’s termination occurred without prior public disclosure. It wasn’t until the legal proceedings that the circumstances surrounding his departure came to light.
Following his termination, negotiations ensued regarding Cameron’s severance package. Despite the board of directors’ unanimous approval of Cameron’s proposed budget for the 2024 fiscal year, the museum initially offered a severance payment of $12,147.69, a figure Cameron rejected. Subsequent negotiations, aided by legal counsel, resulted in an agreed-upon severance payout of $19,658.18.
However, according to Cameron’s lawsuit, the museum backtracked on this agreement, citing a dispute with a leasing company over payment obligations, and refused to honour the previously agreed-upon amount.
The lawsuit seeks damages for breach of contract, payment for accrued unused paid time off, and reimbursement of attorney’s fees. When approached for comment, a spokesperson for the museum declined, stating, “We cannot comment at this time as the matter is still developing.”
The legal proceedings between Seth Cameron and the Children’s Museum of the Arts underscore the complexities and challenges faced by cultural institutions, particularly amidst the financial strains exacerbated by the ongoing pandemic. As the case progresses, it brings into focus questions of contractual obligations and the treatment of arts professionals within the museum sector.
The outcome of this lawsuit will have implications for Cameron and CMA and may also prompt broader discussions within the arts community regarding employment practices and the protection of workers’ rights in cultural institutions.