The decision comes just weeks after the Academy delayed opening the museum again, rescheduling it for 2020.
In a statement, the board of directors of the Museum of the Academy said that Brougher “is returning to its roots in the world of art.”
Although Brougher’s management has been a source of animosity among the museum’s employees, it is still surprising for him to leave before the museum opens.
The council has announced that it will seek a replacement and work with experienced employees to have an effective transition.
The Los Angeles Museum, located at the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue, has been in development for seven years, and construction began in 2016.
Brougher came to the Academy in 2014 from the Hirshhorn Museum. At the time, some questioned whether his experience in the field of fine arts would suit a movie museum. Some of his contestants were concerned about his style of running the institution, saying he lacked authority.
Created by architect Renzo Piano, the museum aims to become one of the most important tourist attractions in Los Angeles.
