David A. Ross, a author and curator who led museums nationwide, resigned on Tuesday from his place as chair of the MFA artwork apply program at New York’s School of Visual Arts (SVA), a submit he had held since 2009, after ARTnews revealed that he makes numerous appearances within the newly launched information associated to Jeffrey Epstein.
The tranche of paperwork was launched by the Justice Division in January as a part of the continued publication of knowledge associated to late sexual offender, who died by suicide in jail in 2019. The correspondence reveals what was apparently a detailed friendship, and one message appears to elicit monetary help for an internet journal Ross labored with.
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“The College of Visible Arts is conscious of correspondence between MFA Artwork Observe Chair David A. Ross and Jeffrey Epstein, launched by the Division of Justice as a part of the Epstein Recordsdata,” the college stated in an emailed assertion. “The School has accepted Mr. Ross’s resignation efficient instantly.”
In an electronic mail to ARTnews, Ross defined that he met Epstein within the mid-Nineties, when he was director of the Whitney Museum of American Artwork in New York. “I knew him as a rich patron and a collector, and it was a part of my job to befriend individuals who had the capability and curiosity in supporting the museum,” writes Ross. When Epstein was jailed in Florida in 2008, says Ross, “I emailed him to search out out what the story was as a result of this didn’t look like the particular person I assumed I knew. … He informed me that he had been the topic of a political frame-up due to his help of former President Clinton. On the time, I believed he was telling me the reality.”
Ross continues, “When years later I learn that he was being investigated once more on the identical fees, I reached out to him to point out help. That was a horrible mistake of judgement. When the fact of his crimes grew to become clear, I used to be mortified and stay ashamed that I fell for his lies. Like many he supported with arts and training patronage, I profoundly remorse that I used to be taken in by his story. I proceed to be appalled by his crimes and stay deeply involved for its many victims.”
Epstein showed considerable interest within the artwork world. His connection to Ross, as revealed within the information, dates again to 1995. A flight log signed by pilot David Rodgers consists of his identify in reference to a July 13 flight from Teterboro Airport to Santa Fe New Mexico Regional Airport.
In a 2009 electronic mail, Epstein discusses an exhibition he desires to help. “Roman Polanski’s [attorneys] are coming to see me,” he writes. “I’d wish to fund an exhibition entitled statutory. Women and boys ages 14 – 25, the place they appear nothing like their true ages. Juvenile mug pictures, photograph store, make up. Some folks go to jail as a result of they’ll’t inform the true age. Controversial. Enjoyable. Possibly it needs to be an online web page, with hits, tallied.”
“You’re unimaginable,” replies Ross. “This could be a really owerful [sic] and freaky guide. Have you learnt that complete porno business kiddie image of Brooke Shields that Richard Prince appropriated for an exhibition within the early Nineteen Eighties?” Prince’s photograph Non secular America (1983) appropriated a 1976 photograph of a 10-year-old, bare Shields by business photographer Gary Gross. “Sure,” Epstein responds, “they closed it off within the London present.”
Additionally in 2009, beneath the topic line “So sorry,” Ross writes, “I’m in London and simply noticed that silly abortive deposition video on HuffPo. Rattling, this was not what you wanted or deserved. That lawyer was an entire asshole, and I believe you dealt with your self with dignity. Sorry to have seen this… however I understand how powerful you might be, and in reality, it in all probability bothers me as your good friend greater than it does you.”
One other from 2009 says, “Spent the day with Brice Marden on the nice Cezanne present in Philly,” and mentions getting ready for a “senior seminar getting ready these younger artists for the actual world that awaits them. How fucking ironic are you able to get!”
“Glad the nightmare is over, Jeffrey,” writes Ross in one other 2009 message. “it was an undeserved punishment foisted upon you by jealous creeps.”
Additionally from 2009: “So humorous to listen to from you right now. Final evening I had a dream with you in it.”
In yet one more message from that yr, beneath the topic line “The place artwork thou?,” a flight and go to are mentioned. “Do you wish to come right here right now, go away tomorrow evening?” asks Epstein. “Positive,” responds Ross. “I’ll name you at 8 to debate.”
In a September 2009 message, Ross appears to recommend Epstein might help FLYP, an “on-line journal” (then at flypmedia.com) the place he was editor-at-large. In July, he had talked about, “I’m having fun with this new identification, however it might be short-lived if I can’t determine a method to assist flip this into an actual enterprise.”
“We proceed to push forward to discover a future for FLYP,” writes Ross. “What we have to safe sufficient time to search out the best accomplice shifting ahead is definitely a comparatively small amount of cash, and if discovered, it will rapidly be leveraged by the help of a number of massive potential buyers.”
A 2010 electronic mail suggests Epstein tune in to The Colbert Report to see Ross’s look.
In 2015, beneath the topic line “Unhappy,” Ross writes, “It’s miserable to see how you might be as soon as once more being dragged by way of the mud. I’m nonetheless proud to name you a good friend.”
Ross led museums nationwide over a interval of many years, serving as director of the San Franciso Museum of Fashionable Artwork (1998–2001, when he resigned unexpectedly), the Whitney (1991–98), and the Institute of Up to date Artwork in Boston (1982–91). He was additionally affiliate director and chief curator on the Berkeley Artwork Museum (1977–81); deputy director and curator of video artwork on the Lengthy Seaside Museum of Artwork (1974–77), and curator of video artwork on the Everson Museum of Artwork (1971–74). He has curated tasks at establishments worldwide, together with the Castello di Rivoli in Italy, the Artwork Sonje Middle in Seoul, the Los Angeles County Museum of Artwork, the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, and the Artwork Institute of Chicago.
The information got here as a part of a launch of some three million further pages of knowledge launched on January 30. In its announcement of the discharge, the Justice Division cited the Epstein Recordsdata Transparency Act of November 19, 2025, which mandated all of the information be launched by December 19. Victim advocates claim that probably thousands and thousands extra paperwork are nonetheless being held in secret.
Replace, 2/3/26, 4:45 p.m.: This text was up to date to replicate the information of Ross’s resignation.
Replace, 2/3/26, 5:20 p.m.: This text was replaced to incorporate an announcement from Ross.
