Eungie Joo, chief curator of contemporary art at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art since 2017, was fired for workplace misconduct. The news was first reported in San Francisco Standard.
“Eungie Joo separated from SFMOMA on December 17 in accordance with institutional policies on workplace conduct,” a museum spokesperson told the outlet. standard. “We do not comment on the specific details of personnel matters.” Joo has yet to make a public statement regarding the termination.
After serving as a series of well-known curators, Joo joined SFMOMA as the first chief curator of contemporary art. From 2007 to 2012, she served as Director of Education and Public Programs and Curator at the New Museum, where she oversaw museum center programs and curated the institution’s 2012 Triennial. Joo served as the artistic director of the 5th Anyang Public Art Project in South Korea, which opened in 2016, and the curator of the 12th Sharjah Biennale in 2015. She previously served as curator of the Korean Pavilion at the 2009 Venice Biennale.
Related articles
Joo’s curatorial work at SFMOMA focuses on expanding the collection and curating exhibitions, many of which explore dynamic themes of race, power, and justice. Her recent projects include artist Kara Walker’s interactive installation titled Fortuna and the Immortal Garden (Machine). The installation is expected to be on display at SFMOMA in spring 2026.
Joo’s firing marks the latest high-profile staff change at SFMOMA, which has seen several resignations since 2020, including senior curator Gary Garrels and the museum’s director of 19 years. Neal Benezra. Benezra was replaced in 2022 by Christopher Bedford.
