For the past 6 years, Dr. Charles A. Riley has served the Nassau County Museum of Art with distinction.  Read this article: https://theisland360.com/special-section/top-business-leaders/charles-a-riley-ii-phd-director-of-the-nassau-county-museum-of-art/ especially how he “turned around its finances, balancing the budget for the first time in history, built attendance, expanded the programs both in-person and online, and created a master plan for its future, including a cultural landscape plan for the nationally listed arboretum. As important as the operational progress, he has labored to improve the institution’s reputation for transparency, social responsibility (including stewardship of the 145 acres of the nature preserve) and community service. Keeping the grounds open throughout the pandemic, and re-opening the museum in July 2020 for the benefit of those who needed great art in their lives (many of the visitors are first responders and medical staff from local hospitals), he budgeted in order to make sure his staff remained in their jobs…”

Yet, in August, the Board of Trustees replaced him with an interim director and did not renew his contract.  While no details were given to staff or supporters, the museum’s chief development officer, Michael Gurtowski, revealed in an Island360 article (https://theisland360.com/featured/nassau-county-museum-of-art-denies-renewal-of-directors-contract-due-to-difference-in-priorities/) that while Riley excelled as an art historian and had a depth of knowledge about arts to impart to the museum, the board let him go because they felt he was only focused on the art, and not on “its venue services and the cultural landscape of the museum’s land.”  

This is all misdirection—Dr. Riley not only focused on all facets of the museum, he bolstered the Museum’s quality and substance.  Below are a few comments from museum staff and supporters.

It is clear neither Michael Gurtowski, nor the board of directors, are being upfront about their reasons for this absolutely horrific decision that will have a disastrous impact on the museum, its supporters, and the community, which begs the question WHY are they not being upfront?    We demand that Dr. Riley be reinstated as director of the museum.

Comments from Staff and Supporters:

“We all saw Dr. Riley at work one day and the next we receive a letter stating that he is no longer the director. We as a community have witnessed Dr. Riley’s dedication to the museum so when we hear Fernanda say “not seeing eye-to-eye,” we question what eye is the board seeing through or from? Dr. Riley made sure that he helped with grant writing to benefit the museum’s outdoor gardens and curated high-caliber art shows that raised the museum’s reputation. It is sad that this level of excellence is tossed out the window in such a manner. We also understand why the staff who contributed to this article are without art expertise to fathom the depth of a scholar’s vision, but we would think that all can see the treatment is not civil. In light of this week being a week of remembrance, we wish to see and feel some love from all for our community and humankind. It is a great loss to the museum and our community for lose such a beautiful soul at the helm. Museum director takes scholarship, not just personal opinions of the board.”

“Dr. Charlie Riley is a director with such selfless sacrifice and pure dedication to public service. I don’t understand “Riley and the museum’s board of trustees did not ‘see eye to eye’ on the museum’s future goals and activities”. To the public, docents, volunteers, and donors, Dr. Riley steadfastly held the following for the museum, its communities, disadvantaged/marginalized groups, and for children with disabilities:

1. Advocating for waiving admission fees for residents with library passes. These residents can enjoy free museum access with a library pass

2. Advocating for free public entrance to the parking lot so people can take advantage of the gardens, trails, and the museum. During COVID, Nassau Museum was the only open public space for people from the tri-state area. Dr. Riley, who has chronic asthma, was on the campus every day.

3. Championing art projects dedicated to supporting autistic children at the Manes Center.

4. Dedicating substantial time to crafting grant proposals aimed at revitalizing the garden’s landscaping. And the museum received a grant for revitalizing the ground’s natural setting and a bee keeper is now producing honey right from the museum’s wild flower project.”

“The Board of Trustees did not inform the staff of the reasons for this change, however in an article in The Island 360, the museum’s chief development officer, Michael Gurtowski, said the board was looking to take a more holistic approach to directing the museum beyond the art exhibits, including its venue services and the cultural landscape of the museum’s land. Gurtowski said this while acknowledging Riley excelled as an art historian and had a depth of knowledge about arts to impart to the museum”