The Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles has fired its longtime chief curator, Paul Schimmel, a respected figure in California art circles whose vision for the institution clashed with that of its director, the former art dealer Jeffrey Deitch, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Several sources told the newspaper that Mr. Schimmel was notified of the museum board’s unanimous vote on Wednesday by the billionaire philanthropist Eli Broad, the museum’s chief patron.

The chief curator, with the museum for 22 years, was known for blending popular shows with serious, research-driven exhibitions that covered entire art movements. Mr. Deitch was hired by the museum two years ago in part to replicate his success as a New York gallery owner in staging shows and events involving underground music and youth culture.

At the time of the news article’s publication, the museum had not made a statement on the firing, which was being widely discussed on Twitter. Mr. Schimmel referred questions to David Johnson, the board’s co-chairman, who declined to comment, as did Mr. Deitch.