Controversy Erupts Over Los Angeles Museum Director’s Pay

Some experts say the pay package of Michael Govan, director of the Los Angeles County Museum, is excessive, given the recession and the museum’s staff layoffs and program cuts, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Mr. Govan earns about $1-million in salary, deferred compensation, and benefits. “Every dollar you give in compensation is a dollar you can’t spend on programs and curatorial work,” said Andrew Taylor, director of the Bolz Center for Arts Administration at the University of Wisconsin.

Those who defend Mr. Govan’s salary point to his fund-raising prowess. During his first three years, the museum raised $251-million — about $100-million more than it raised in the three years before he took the job.

Bobby Kotick, a museum trustee, says that high compensation was necessary to attract someone of sufficient talent to boost the museum’s profile.

(Free registration is required to view this article.)