The Baltimore Museum of Art announced today that its trustees have decided to “pause” a planned sale of three works from the museum’s collection to raise $65 million for operating funds and to support programs encouraging diversity.

The announcement came less than two hours before an auction was scheduled to begin for two of the works at Sotheby’s in New York. The museum received wide criticism for its decision to sell the three works.

The museum announced earlier this month the decision to sell the three major works in part so it could expand ongoing diversity and equity initiatives, such as increasing pay for its staff and offering evening hours.

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE