And yet again, a sad embarassing example of why SAM as a player museum fails every time and the powers behind the scene that ruin any chance for success or acclaim due to 'inferiority complexitis' so frequently seen out here in the sticks. A regional small time organization steered by people who are ridiculous wannabes and cant make it happen anywhere that really matters-donors included.

See Vancouver Art Gallery and Portland Art Museum for dynamic authentic programs and community support...

I don't think you can criticize SAM for poor programming anymore, Sucka. Salish art, Picasso and Nick Cave alone are a pretty unbeatable combo as big regional museums go. They're strong in some unusual areas; I think next year's Australian Aboriginal exhibit is going to blow people's minds. The small collection they have now is already superior to anything VAG or PAM have going on, community support or no. Weaker on the contemporary conceptual front, perhaps, but so what. SAM was a bland, boring, soulless institution twenty years ago; it's pretty outstanding now. There's a large incremental improvement since then, but the blockbusters Cartwright put together are a big step forward too.

It's a tragedy if he's paying the price for the Great Recession, which ain't his fault.

Even if those Ford Tauruses are awful.

@2, I wish PAM had something like the Australian Aborigonal, Oceanic, and African art collections SAM has, but I fail to see how SAM otherwise is superior to PAM (unless you're counting those cheesy American Romantic paintings, though I'm not so sure they are a mark of superiority). PAM has had some blockbuster exhibitions lately, as well. Maybe not Picasso, but Crumb, Escher, and the Crocker master drawing collection are nothing to sneeze at.

I am stunned and saddened to hear this news. From my perspective, Derik Cartwright brought a fresh, vibrant energy to SAM and the city of Seattle. He has been very approachable, joining practicing artists, gallerists, and patrons in what could be considered an authentic manner. Whatever the cause, I am sorry it has happened here, again.

I think PAM and SAM should have a colossal wham bam thank you ma'am session, then lie in bed together for a few years, ignoring the world at large, while sharing an occasional smoke.

@5 FTW

@5, what about VAG?

Listening to SAM, PAM and VAG acolytes scrap over who is most effective gives me the fits. It's like listening to UW vs WSU arguments. Sorry, dudes...you're all small time.

@8, We'll Getty over it.