The mess at MOCA

Like art itself, museums go through tumultuous periods, and the Museum of Contemporary Art is certainly in the midst of one. For the last three weeks, since the surprise ouster of chief curator Paul Schimmel, MOCA has been embroiled in a behind-the-scenes drama involving its controversial director, its fractious trustees and the philosophical direction it is taking.

Is the museum forsaking a rigorous intellectual approach in favor of a celebrity-driven, pop-culture-infused strategy to draw more visitors? (There's already been a retrospective of Dennis Hopper's artwork, and an exhibit on disco music's influence on art and culture is in the works.) Supporters of director Jeffrey Deitch contend that such crowd-pleasing shows are necessary to make the museum "relevant" rather than insular and to raise its attendance figures. His critics argue, as four life trustees put it last week, that "the celebrity-driven program that ... Deitch promotes is not the answer."

But in some ways, this is a false choice. A great museum — and a great museum director — must find the proper balance between scholarly integrity and accessible, enticing exhibits that lure paying, shopping art lovers. Furthermore, a thoughtful, highbrow exhibition need not be boring any more than a pop-culture show must be intellectually shallow.

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There's no question that MOCA faces gargantuan challenges, and not just because of the current brouhaha. Hobbled by years of money problems that predate the current director, the museum must fundraise its budget almost from scratch each year. It risks losing money it badly needs and whatever clout it commands when its backstage feuding causes a crisis in confidence in the eyes of the public and potential donors.

In the months ahead, Deitch needs to articulate a clear vision for the museum's future. In the meantime, here are a couple of ways the museum can begin to repair the damage. MOCA is unusual in that it was founded by artists and includes them on its board of trustees. Unfortunately, all four artists sitting on the board resigned in the aftermath of Schimmel's departure. It may take some time to persuade other artists of their caliber to join the board, but the director and the sitting trustees should make a concerted effort to do that. MOCA has been called "the Artists' Museum," and their role in its development has been crucial to its reputation; they're not expendable.

Deitch apparently has no plans to replace Schimmel. That's a big mistake. Though passionate and knowledgeable about art, Deitch has his hands more than full raising money. If he intends to guest curate occasionally, that's one thing, but the museum needs a full-time chief curator whose sole job is about art, not commerce.

MOCA and its trustees should end the infighting and concentrate on making the museum the best it can be.