May 10, 2022 - Economy

Guggenheim becomes latest museum to drop Sackler name

Shawna Chen

Photo of people milling about several floors of art galleries — Museum-goers look at paintings on Dec. 12, 2021, at the Guggenheim Museum in New York City. Photo: Robert Nickelsberg via Getty Images

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum has removed the Sackler name from an education center following years-long controversies over the family's role in the opioid crisis.

Why it matters: The Sacklers made billions from the sale of highly addictive opioid painkillers and were embroiled in several litigation battles until March, when they reached a $6 billion settlement with U.S. states.

The Guggenheim's removal of the Sackler name took place quietly last week and was not publicly announced, the New York Times reports.

What they're saying: "The Guggenheim and the Mortimer D. Sackler family have agreed to rename the arts education center," museum spokesperson Sara Fox said Tuesday in a statement.

"We believe this decision is in the best interest of the Museum and the vital work it does."

The big picture: The Guggenheim, based in New York City, is the latest institution to cut ties with the disgraced family.

The National Gallery in London said Monday that it would remove the Sackler name from its walls, according to Forbes.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art dropped the name from one of its most popular galleries as well as six other exhibition spaces in December, per the Times.
Several museums have outright rejected donations from the family.

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Guggenheim becomes latest museum to drop Sackler name

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