Jens Hoffmann (Photo credit: Spottyandnoodle
Jens Hoffmann, chief curator at large for the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) in Midtown, faces a sexual harassment scandal.
The Jewish Museum in New York has suspended projects with Hoffmann because of misbehavior allegations by museum staff members late last week, reports Andy Battaglia of ARTnews.
Hoffmann was deputy director for exhibitions and programs there from 2012-16 and has been director of special exhibitions and public programs.
“A number of Jewish Museum staff members came forward on Nov. 30, 2017, with allegations of sexual harassment by Jens Hoffmann during his tenure at the museum. In light of this information, we have suspended all current projects with him while we review the allegations," the Jewish Museum said in a statement.
In Detroit, MOCAD has says it's unaware of any allegations locally and had yet to decide on a course of action. Elysia Borowy-Reeder, executive director, issues a statement:
My heart goes out to all the parties involved. MOCAD is troubled to hear of the allegations of sexual harassment made against Jens Hoffmann, our Curator at Large.
MOCAD is committed to providing a safe and unthreatening work environment for all its employees, artists and visitors. We have not been aware of any similar accusations while employed at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit.
As the exact nature of the claims have not been made public or disclosed to us, the MOCAD Board needs time to process and discuss, and they are [doing so].
Lance Gotko, a lawyer for Hoffmann, tells ARTnews that his client "can firmly say he has never subjected anyone at the museum to sexual harassment.”
