El Museo del Barrio’s board president, who was named in a recent discrimination claim by the museum’s former director, will leave her position at the end of her term on June 30, museum officials said on Friday. The official, Yas Hernandez, is departing as the museum searches for a new director and struggles to find its fiscal footing.
“I deeply believe in El Museo’s mission to honor Latino, Caribbean and Latin American cultures and believe the institution has a bright future,†Ms. Hernandez said in a statement released Friday. “Because of my other board commitments, I will be stepping down as president of El Museo’s board when my term expires in June. However, I will remain actively involved, and my husband, ValentÃn Hernández, has been proposed to join the board because of my family’s deeply held commitment to the success of the institution.â€
The museum, at 1230 Fifth Avenue at 104th Street in East Harlem, is a major center for Latino art and culture. But its fundraising has slipped, its days of operation have been slashed from six to four and roughly a fifth of its staff was laid off this year.
Margarita Aguilar, the former director, was fired in February. She filed a claim in February with the New York State Division of Human Rights, naming Ms. Hernandez and Tony Bechara and alleging gender discrimination and the creation of a hostile workplace. Among other things, she said Ms. Hernandez gave her unsolicited advice on how to shape her eyebrows and told her that she could afford a better wardrobe.
The museum says she was dismissed for poor performance, including ineffective leadership. “The claims made against El Museo are without merit,†Mr. Bechara said in an emailed statement on Friday.
