Another curatorial shoe drops

Just a couple of days ago we were comparing the game of musical chairs among contemporary curators at the MFA, ICA and Harvard to the NBC late-night hosting dance. Now Big Red & Shiny reports that yet another curator is on the move. James Nadeau blogs the news that he Museum of Fine Arts Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art William Stover is leaving at the end of the month, on the heels of Jen Mergel getting the head curator of contemporary art gig at the MFA. Mergel's young and was an associate curator at the ICA; Nadeau notes that Stover has a longer resume and it's no surprise that he'd leave under the circumstances. True enough, but I'm not sure I agree with his assertion that the MFA is "sidlining" contemporary art. Mergel co-curated the Tara Donovan exhibit (right) at the ICA, which was a big hit at the door and I thought critically well received. Maybe the MFA is opting for excitement over gravitas? In any case, here's hoping Stover completes the square dance around town and gets hired at the Harvard Arts Museum.