Outgoing CEO Vanessa Cooksey Reportedly Puchased Versace Masks For Board Meetings, Louis Vuitton Masks For Grant Announcements, Gucci Diamond-Encrusted N95s Reserved For Art Exhibit Openings
ST. LOUIS — Officials at the St. Louis Regional Arts Commission announced sweeping budget cuts Friday, including announcing the departure of its CEO, after outside accountants reportedly made the startling discovery that “designer masks” are not, technically speaking, a recognized form of public art.
The commission, which oversees millions of dollars in hotel-tax funding for local arts organizations, has come under scrutiny over spending, staffing and financial practices. Leaked details of a forthcoming state audit reportedly found $1,543,456 was spent on “designer” COVID masks created by world-class design firms Versace, Gucci and Louis Vuitton, among others.
“The pandemic ended a couple years ago but Cooksey was still purchasing masks for herself and her top staff,” says one state auditor. “Boy, was she!”
Another auditor echoed that comment:
“We initially assumed the CEO was wearing a normal black protective mask,” said he said. “Then we looked at the invoice and discovered it was from the Louis Vuitton Executive Respiratory Collection.”
The alleged purchases included a $4,800 Versace board-meeting mask, a $7,200 Louis Vuitton grant-announcement mask, several Gucci KN95s embroidered with the words ‘Administrative Expense,’ and one diamond-encrusted ceremonial N95 reportedly worn only when meeting donors with naming-rights money.
Rank-and-file staff members were supposedly issued less expensive Burberry masks for casual Fridays.
The commission’s former procurement policy apparently permitted luxury respiratory equipment as long as employees could demonstrate that the masks promoted “regional cultural vibrancy.”
One receipt described a Cartier respirator featuring 14-karat-gold ear loops, while another listed a Swarovski-encrusted mask under the accounting category “community engagement.”
“We thought she was spending a lot for masks,” a commission employee said. “But then somebody explained they were arts masks, so we stopped asking questions.”
Sources say the extravagance became difficult to conceal when the commission allegedly constructed a climate-controlled Mask Gallery at headquarters, complete with museum lighting and a security guard whose only responsibility was preventing employees from breathing directly on the collection.
The centerpiece was reportedly “Mask No. 7: Pandemic With Diamonds,” described in commission literature as “an exploration of the complicated relationship between taxpayer funding and precious gems.”
Asked whether eliminating the CEO position, and other budget cuts, would finally bring administrative costs under control, a RAC spokesperson remained optimistic.
“We are committed to putting more money toward artists,” she said.
“Except whoever designed that diamond mask?
That person is a genius.”
