The Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City is set to open its 'American Sublime' exhibition on April 9, 2025, featuring more than 40 paintings by Amy Sherald that celebrate Black American life, resistance to cultural erasure, and the richness of marginalized narratives.

After months of protests and calls for his resignation, board member Warren Kanders resigned from his position at the Whitney Museum of American Art amid controversy over his business ties to Safariland, a company manufacturing tear gas and other repressive technologies. The resignation follows public outcry and internal pressure from nearly 100 museum staff as well as activist groups.

Unionized workers at the Whitney Museum of American Art reached a tentative inaugural contract after sixteen months of negotiations, featuring substantial wage increases, retroactive raises, improved overtime policies, and enhanced benefits for temporary staff, supporting fair labor practices.

After over a year of negotiations, the Whitney Museum Union of Local 2110 UAW reached a tentative agreement with the museum. The contract, which includes a 15% retroactive wage increase and additional raises, extends worker protections and settles unit clarification proceedings at the National Labor Relations Board, ensuring that nearly all bargaining unit positions receive coverage.

After 16 months of negotiations, the Whitney Museum of American Art ratified its first contract with UAW Local 2110, securing long-term wage increases, improved job security, and enhanced benefits for approximately 200 employees.

Workers at the Whitney Museum of American Art ratified their first union contract on March 6, 2023, after 16 months of negotiations. The agreement includes substantial wage increases, retroactive raises, better benefits, and enhanced job protections for temporary and hourly staff.

Unionized workers at the Whitney Museum of American Art have ratified their first contract after 16 months of negotiations, securing significant wage increases, enhanced benefits, and equal treatment for temporary workers, marking a progressive milestone in labor relations.

Nearly 200 employees at the Whitney Museum in New York, affected by recent layoffs and wage inequities, are pushing to unionize. The effort, driven by a desire for better working conditions, is supported by a statement from the museum affirming staff's right to engage in negotiations. This move is part of a broader trend of labor organizing in the arts sector, reflecting progressive advocacy for worker rights.

On May 17, 2021, approximately 180 workers at the Whitney Museum of American Art petitioned to join the United Auto Workers via Local 2110, seeking improved job security and economic fairness amid prior layoffs during the COVID-19 crisis.

Nearly two hundred employees at the Whitney Museum filed a petition for a unionization vote with the National Labor Relations Board, marking a significant step in enforcing worker solidarity and rights at the museum.

Warren Kanders, a longtime board member and major donor with ties to companies producing repressive technologies, resigned from the Whitney Museum of American Art’s board following months of protests and an artist boycott. This move reflects a response to ethical concerns raised by the art community and activists.

Following intense protests and artist-led calls for accountability, Warren B. Kanders, the vice-chairman of the board known for his financial contributions and ties to Safariland—a manufacturer of tear gas implicated in state violence—resigned from the board of the Whitney Museum of American Art on July 25, 2019. This development reflects shifting standards of accountability in the art world, as demonstrators and influential art critics pressured the institution to address ethical concerns over its board governance.

Following sustained activist pressure and artistic boycotts over his ties to defense manufacturer Safariland—whose products have been linked to repressive state actions—Warren B. Kanders resigned from his role as vice chairman of the Whitney Museum of American Art. This decision came amid protests, public outcry, and concerns over toxic philanthropy that could otherwise undermine the museum's integrity.

Whitney Museum trustee Warren Kanders, whose company sells tear gas and law-enforcement supplies, resigned from the board following protests from artists and staff who demanded his departure over ethical concerns.