The International Committee for Museums and Collections of Modern Art (CIMAM) has endorsed NCAC’s Museum Best Practices for Managing Controversy. In the wake of recent controversies, the board of CIMAM aims to provide guidance to its members. This resource, developed with input from several major arts organizations, helps cultural institutions manage controversial content and transform controversy into a learning moment about the nature of diverse opinions and an institution’s ability to address them.
In their endorsement, CIMAM’s board of directors said, “This comprehensive document is an excellent guide for all museum and gallery staff committed to supporting artists in presenting work that deals with difficult issues in the context of the new reality of social media which can inflame public opinion and lead to threats of violence against staff.”
NCAC’s Arts Advocacy Program works directly with museums and curators when controversies arise. In addition, NCAC creates resources like this one to help ensure that, in the heat of a controversial incident, institutions are able to hold strong to their commitment to free expression.
Other organizations endorsing the Best Practices include the Vera List Center for Art and Politics, the Association of Art Museum Curators, Americans for the Arts, the American Alliance of Museums, the College Art Association, the Association of Art Museum Directors, and the Association of Academic Museums and Galleries.