RISD trustees meet with museum board members

PROVIDENCE—Members of the board of governors at the Rhode Island School of Design Museum have met with trustees of the school following the abrupt resignation of the museum director last month.

RISD spokeswoman Becky Bermont said members of both boards held a productive conservation Friday as part of “an ongoing dialogue about how to best support and advance RISD’s mission.“

Museum board members were puzzled and upset by the lack of explanation surrounding the departure of director Hope Alswang. They had requested a meeting.

RISD President John Maeda has described the matter as private, but has said it’s not uncommon for new leaders to put their own managers in place.

Alswang had led the prestigious museum for four years. Maeda is in his second year at RISD.