Community Backlash Erupts Over Proposed Closure of DePaul Art Museum
**DePaul University Announces Closure of Campus Art Museum, Sparking Backlash**
DePaul University in Chicago is set to close its campus art museum, the DePaul Art Museum (DPAM), on June 30, following projections of a major budget deficit expected by 2026. The announcement was made by the university’s president, Robert L. Manuel, in a letter addressing students and staff about ongoing strategies for the institution’s financial sustainability.
This decision has been met with strong opposition from the academic community. An open letter authored by faculty members in the art history and philosophy departments, which has gathered over 2,000 signatures from the community, criticizes the closure as a decision that neglects the museum’s educational and reputational impact. The letter urges the administration to reconsider, highlighting the museum’s role in the university’s academic and cultural environment.
The closure decision comes shortly after DePaul University laid off nearly eight percent of its full-time workforce in efforts to reduce spending by $27.4 million. This is attributed to decreasing international enrollment and increased student demand for financial aid.
The director of the museum, Laura-Caroline de Lara, expressed her disappointment, labeling the closure a “devastating loss” not only for the university but also for Chicago and those involved with the museum. As a university-affiliated art museum, DPAM has contributed significantly to discussions of social justice and current issues in ways larger institutions may not, according to de Lara. Moreover, the museum has been accessible to the public free of charge.
Despite previous efforts to secure funding, DePaul was denied a $500,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services during the Trump administration. The museum operates with an annual cost of approximately $745,000, funded partly by DePaul and private fundraising.
Established in 1985 and relocated to its current premises in 2011, the museum has focused on fostering a diverse arts space representing underrepresented Chicago artists. It has been instrumental in linking local and global political narratives through its exhibitions. The university has announced that their Lincoln Hill building will not be sold, although the fate of the museum’s collection of 4,000 items remains uncertain.
DPAM has played a critical role in curating exhibitions that tackle significant issues, such as the connection between local incarceration and global human rights concerns, as seen in their 2022 exhibition “Remaking the Exceptional: Tea, Torture, and Reparations.” It has also explored significant movements like the Young Lords, a Chicago-based Puerto Rican anti-displacement political group, in their exhibitions.
The museum has been a key resource for students, providing opportunities for experiential learning, particularly for those aspiring to museum careers. DePaul senior Jessica Saunders shared her dismay, noting the museum’s influence on her decision to enroll at the university and her regrets that future students will miss out on similar experiences.
The closure reflects broader challenges facing higher education, with faculty members noting a general decline in academic culture and the value placed on arts education. Philosophy professor Sean Kirkland, a signatory of the open letter, expressed hope that their collective efforts might persuade DePaul’s administration to reverse its decision, emphasizing that art is integral to a robust educational commitment.
As the university stands by its decision, the DePaul University communications office has refrained from commenting further. The museum will conclude its operations with two final exhibitions, “Barbara Nessim: My Compass Is the Line” and “Alice Tippit: Rose Obsolete,” which are scheduled to run until June 21.