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December 3, 1970

Mr. John I. H. Baur, Director
Whitney Museum of American Art
945 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10023

Dear Mr. Baur:

I applied along with other artists for the Whitney Annual. Miss Tucker saw my work and also asked me to call Mr. Doty. After awaiting an answer about the status of my work for the Annual, I spoke to Miss Tucker and was told that my work was being considered for the exhibition Mr. Doty is preparing which will open this spring. I was also told that your museum has a policy of not showing an artist's works in exhibitions which follow one another on your schedule.

I would like an answer as to what the curators decided about my work in connection with the Whitney Annual. The decision to be made by Mr. Doty is another matter and separate from the Annual. If my work was eliminated from consideration for the Annual because of the policy mentioned above, and before Mr. Doty saw my work (although he has seen slides of my sculpture, he will be seeing my paintings for the first time Friday, December 4th) it would appear I, rather than my work, have been the basis for the decision.

Since I work for a museum I am well aware of procedures of preparation and selection of an exhibition. I would, however, strongly question the ethics of putting an artist in the middle where curatorial decisions are involved.

Sincerely,
[[signature]]
Howardena Pindell
Westbeth Artists Housing
564 West Street, D-517
New York, New York