Ousted Director Sasha Suda Sues Philadelphia Art Museum
61Nov. 12, 2025
Sasha Suda, who last week wasabruptly firedfrom her roles of director and CEO of thePhiladelphia Art Museum(PhAM), is suing the institution. TheNew York Times, which broke the story, reports that Suda filed suit in Pennsylvania state court on November 10, alleging that her dismissal was “without a valid basis” and came after a “corrupt and unethical faction” of the museum’s board complained about her attempts to modernize PhAM. Suda, who was let go three years into a five-year contact, is seeking two years’ worth of severance plus damages and additional relief.
The Toronto-born Suda had led the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, Ontario, before joining the Philadelphia Museum of Art, as the institution was known at the time of her 2022 arrival. In her new capacity, she beat fundraising goals, shepherded the institution through a rocky unionization that predated her tenure, and worked to increase diversity through exhibitions such as 2024’s “The Time Is Always Now,” a group show featuring contemporary Black artists. She also led the museum’s controversial rebrand from the Philadelphia Museum of Art to the Philadelphia Art Museum, a change that was derided in some circles and that “surprised” at least one board member.
Prior to her firing, Suda’s compensation and expenses had been the subjects of an investigation initiated by the museum board. Suda in her suit contends that these had been budgeted for and approved by the museum and that in investigating her, the board was attempting to falsely present her as “misusing museum funds for personal gain.” Suda claims that her firing was related to her refusal to seat as a board member a lobbyist she saw as “abrasive” but whom the board approved anyway.
“A small cabal of trustees commissioned a sham investigation to create a pretext for Ms. Suda’s termination,” Luke Nikas, an attorney representing Suda, told Artnews in a statement. “Ms. Suda fought for and believed in a museum that would serve Philadelphia and its people, not the egos of a handful of trustees. She is proud of her work and looks forward to presenting the truth.”
“The Art Museum is aware of the recently filed compliant against the museum, and we believe it is without merit,” a PhAM spokesperson told the publication. “We will not be providing further comment at this time.”