The New Yorker has parted ways with its art critic Jackson Arn after only two years on the job. Arn’s departure comes after the magazine received complaints about his behavior at its 100th anniversary party in February. Sources say Arn was accused of making inappropriate overtures to some attendees and appeared intoxicated at the celebration, which was held at a NoHo night spot called Jean’s.
The party was attended by notable figures including Art Spiegelman, the graphic novelist behind “Maus,” Jelani Cobb, the dean of Columbia Journalism School, and Tina Brown, a former editor of the magazine. Arn declined to comment when reached by phone.
Art critic’s sudden departure
A spokeswoman for Condé Nast, the publisher of The New Yorker, said the company could not comment on confidential personnel matters. Arn took over the prestigious writing position from Peter Schjeldahl, who had held the post for 24 years until his death in 2022. Prior to his role at the New Yorker, Arn was a freelance writer and had contributed to various publications including Artforum, The Nation, and The New Statesman.
Speaking to the Yale Daily News about following in Schjeldahl’s footsteps, Arn remarked, “I feel sometimes like I’m walking across a tightrope and I’ll be okay as long as I don’t ever look down. But yeah, thinking too much about Schjeldahl would be like looking down.”
Arn’s last piece for The New Yorker was published on March 10. The magazine has updated his online author page to indicate that he had “served as The New Yorker’s art critic.”
The sudden departure leaves a significant gap in the magazine’s editorial team as they look for a replacement to carry on the legacy of covering the vibrant art scene.
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