Art Censorship – National Coalition Against Censorship https://ncac.org Promoting freedom of thought, inquiry and expression, and opposing censorship in all its forms. Fri, 19 Mar 2021 13:26:09 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://ncac.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/ncac-logo_sticky-50t.png Art Censorship – National Coalition Against Censorship https://ncac.org 32 32 Don’t Delete Art Releases Guidelines for Artists to Avoid Social Media Censorship https://ncac.org/news/dont-delete-art-censorship-resource Fri, 12 Mar 2021 18:03:34 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=84151 Artists and advocates have created the first comprehensive resource for artists to avoid and combat censorship on social media.

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]]> NCAC Opposes Removal of Mural Depicting Slavery https://ncac.org/news/ncac-opposes-removal-of-mural-depicting-slavery Wed, 24 Jun 2020 21:38:08 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=83055 NCAC is asking the University of Kentucky (UK) to cancel recently announced plans to remove a 1930’s-era mural depicting aspects of Kentucky history, including slavery. Some students have demanded its removal because they consider it demeaning to people of color on campus. In 2018, the university commissioned an installation by Karyn Olivier, a noted Black [...]

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]]> Don’t Delete Art: A Virtual Gallery of Art Censored by Social Media https://ncac.org/news/dont-delete-art Tue, 19 May 2020 13:00:40 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=82751 On May 19, 2020, an international coalition of arts and free expression organizations, including the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC), IBEX Collection, Article19, PEN America’s Artists at Risk Connection (ARC), International Arts Rights Advisors, and Freemuse, launched Don’t Delete Art, a virtual gallery showcasing work which is banned or restricted on social media. The gallery, [...]

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]]> San Antonio Censors Queer Latina Performance Artist Xandra Ibarra | UPDATED https://ncac.org/news/san-antonio-censors-queer-latina-performance-artist-xandra-ibarra Wed, 11 Mar 2020 20:30:27 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=82062 The City of San Antonio censored queer Latina performance artist Xandra Ibarra's work addressing race and gender stereotypes, likely infringing on the First Amendment.

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]]> UPDATE: VICTORY! Pepperdine University Censors Student’s Art https://ncac.org/news/pepperdine-university-censors-students-art Mon, 25 Nov 2019 16:30:20 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=76376 Pepperdine University is refusing to display an art student's works alongside her peers because the works depict nudity.

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]]> Mayor Vetoes Bill Clarifying Washington DC Arts Commission’s Independence https://ncac.org/news/mayor-vetoes-bill-clarifying-washington-dc-arts-commissions-independence Fri, 11 Oct 2019 18:32:18 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=76190 UPDATE: 10/24/19: On October 22, the DC Council voted unanimously to override Mayor Muriel Bowser's veto of an emergency bill that would have clarified the DCCAH’s independence. “The underlying legislation cemented DCCAH's separation from the executive's office after a tumultuous summer during which the mayor tried and failed to grab control of the District's public [...]

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]]> Cancel Culture: Can Free Speech in Cultural Institutions Survive the Onslaught of Moral Outrage? https://ncac.org/news/blog/cancel-culture-can-free-speech-in-cultural-institutions-survive-the-onslaught-of-moral-outrage Mon, 07 Oct 2019 18:41:37 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=76110 Svetlana Mintcheva, NCAC's Director of Programs, presented a talk at the Harvard Law School Library on the effects contemporary moral outrage has on the arts and culture.

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]]> NCAC Calls for Open Forum to Discuss San Francisco Murals https://ncac.org/news/ncac-calls-for-open-forum-to-discuss-san-francisco-murals Tue, 06 Aug 2019 19:50:10 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=75876 NCAC proposes holding an open forum where GWHS students can talk about how they see and interpret the Arnautoff murals. We invite the San Francisco Board of Education to collaborate with us in presenting the forum.

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]]> Jewish Community Center of San Francisco Removes Art Referencing Gaza https://ncac.org/news/jewish-community-center-of-san-francisco-removes-art-referencing-gaza Wed, 26 Jun 2019 16:50:27 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=75598 The Jewish Community Center of San Francisco removed two works from its exhibition, La Frontera: Artists Respond to the U.S.-Mexico Border Crisis.

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]]> Nude #WeTheNipple Art Action at Facebook Headquarters Calls Out Censorship https://ncac.org/news/wethenipple-art-action-facebook-headquarters Sun, 02 Jun 2019 15:14:53 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=75283 NCAC and artist Spencer Tunick created a nude art action in front of Facebook and Instagram's New York City headquarters as part of their #WeTheNipple campaign against art censorship on social media.

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]]> Panel Addresses the Challenges of #MeToo and the Morally Compromised Artist https://ncac.org/news/panel-addresses-the-challenges-of-metoo-and-the-morally-compromised-artist Wed, 20 Mar 2019 20:34:12 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=74466 A discussion of what to do with the art of morally compromised artists, how morally compromised is "too" morally compromised, whether it matter if the artist is alive and, ultimately, who decides upon these issues of what is acceptable

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]]> Chinese Artist Censored in North Carolina Exhibition | UPDATE: VICTORY! https://ncac.org/news/blog/chinese-artist-censored-in-north-carolina-exhibition Mon, 11 Feb 2019 22:33:12 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=63211 A US-based Chinese artist was forced to remove three paintings from a show in North Carolina to avoid "offending" patrons.

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]]> NCAC Protests Political Censorship at Ground Zero https://ncac.org/news/ncac-protests-political-censorship-at-ground-zero Thu, 17 Jan 2019 22:02:50 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=63054 The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey relocated an art installation depicting the Saudi Arabian flag after public complaints.

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]]> NCAC Urges Queens Library to Restore Canceled Photography Exhibition https://ncac.org/letters/queens-library Thu, 20 Dec 2018 17:09:31 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=62895 Image courtesy of Drew Kerr The National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) urges Queens Library to restore an exhibition of photographs it canceled and allow it to run for three weeks as originally planned. Drew Kerr’s exhibition, Faces of The 7 Train, consists of 32 black-and-white photographs that the artist shot of passengers on the 7 [...]

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]]> Tumblr Adult Content Ban Will Chill Free Expression Online https://ncac.org/news/blog/tumblr-adult-content-ban Wed, 19 Dec 2018 21:31:46 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=62882 On December 17th, Tumblr permanently banned adult content from its platform. Under the new community guidelines, any image that depicts sex acts, real-life human genitalia, or (with a few exceptions) female nipples will be hidden from public view. Despite the company’s claims, the new guidelines will not create a “better, more positive” Tumblr.

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]]> Smart Tactics: Curating Difficult Content https://ncac.org/resource/smart-tactics Mon, 29 Oct 2018 22:08:38 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=62569 SMART TACTICS: Curating Difficult Content examines the internal and external pressures curators must navigate when considering potentially controversial material. Combining decades of advocacy experience with extensive interviews and curatorial surveys, this volume includes both a report on what happens behind the scenes in art institutions and a handbook for confronting the challenges of curating difficult content. 

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]]> MK Asante, Leora Kahn & NYFA Chairs Named Film Contest Judges https://ncac.org/news/press-release/mk-asante-leora-kahn-nyfa-chairs-named-film-contest-judges Thu, 12 Apr 2018 20:11:47 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=60243 The National Coalition Against Censorship continues its support of student-led protests by extending the deadline for its protest-themed film contest to May 15th. This year’s contest invites aspiring teen filmmakers to create short films on the value of protest as an instrument of social change. In the weeks leading up to the March for Our [...]

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]]> Artspace Censors Nudes in Exhibition About Body Positivity https://ncac.org/news/blog/artspace-censors-nudes-in-exhibition-about-body-positivity Thu, 22 Feb 2018 20:06:58 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=59941 Artspace, the self-described "non-profit real estate developer for the arts," creates affordable live-work spaces in a world where such spaces are rapidly disappearing. However, on more than one occasion, Artspace has censored works exhibited by residents on their premises. The most recent incident occurred in East Minneapolis.

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]]> NCAC Supports Student Artists in Brooklyn https://ncac.org/news/press-release/ncac-supports-student-artist-in-brooklyn Wed, 14 Feb 2018 20:01:49 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=59887 Sunset Park High School in Brooklyn, NY removed a work of student art last week after complaints that its message was offensive. NCAC opposes allowing a "hecker's veto" to chill this student's right to free expression.

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]]> Norfolk Business Shuts Down Exhibition and Halts All Future Art Displays https://ncac.org/news/press-release/norfolk-business-shuts-down-exhibition-and-halts-all-future-art-displays Fri, 19 Jan 2018 21:40:23 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=59798 After an artist was censored in Norfolk, VA, the public agency who shut down her show cancels all future art exhibitions.

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]]> Guantanamo Art: Gone for Good? https://ncac.org/news/blog/guantanamo-art-gone-for-good Thu, 18 Jan 2018 15:09:57 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=59772 If a recent policy change is not reversed, art by Guantanamo detainees may be permanently removed from public view when John Jay College's exhibition closes next week.

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]]> NCAC Condemns Government Policy Depriving Americans of Access to Art by Guantanamo Detainees https://ncac.org/news/press-release/ncac-condemns-government-policy-depriving-americans-of-access-to-art-by-guantanamo-detainees Tue, 28 Nov 2017 20:05:56 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=59180 The National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) vehemently objects to the violation of the public’s right to access art by Guantanamo detainees and thus fully participate in the political conversation around Guantanamo. The new directive also violates the human rights of the detainees under international norms and further destruction of the work would impermissibly suppress documents of historical importance.

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]]> John Sims: “Confederate Flag: A Public Hanging” at Ohio University and the Kennedy Museum of Art https://ncac.org/news/blog/john-sims-confederate-flag-a-public-hanging-at-the-kennedy-museum-of-art Mon, 20 Nov 2017 15:00:31 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=59074 Johns Sims was finally able to present his work, "Confederate Flag: A Public Hanging", after years of forced adaptation and abridgment.

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]]> NCAC Releases Statement Criticizing Walker Art Center’s Decision to Destroy Controversial Sculpture; UPDATE: Sculpture to be Ceremonially Buried https://ncac.org/news/blog/ncac-criticizes-walker-art-centers-decision-to-destroy-sam-durants-installation Fri, 09 Jun 2017 22:17:16 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=57514 NCAC has issued a statement signed by several national and international organizations, opposing the Walker's decision to dismantle and destroy the controversial sculpture.

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]]> Minnesota Performing Arts Center Censors Play Over Word ‘Mulatto’ in Title; UPDATE: NCAC and DLDF Send Letter to Mayor Kautz https://ncac.org/news/blog/minnesota-performing-arts-center-censors-play-over-mulatto-in-title Mon, 10 Apr 2017 14:24:12 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=56488 The play offers a perspective on the experience of growing up biracial -- or "mulatto," a dated term used to describe a person with one black and one white parent. 

The post Minnesota Performing Arts Center Censors Play Over Word ‘Mulatto’ in Title; UPDATE: NCAC and DLDF Send Letter to Mayor Kautz appeared first on National Coalition Against Censorship.

]]> Minnesota High School Cancels Play After Photos Leak of Students Dressed in KKK Costumes https://ncac.org/news/blog/minnesota-high-school-cancels-play-after-photo-leaks-of-ku-klux-klan-costume Wed, 29 Mar 2017 16:45:07 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=56315 The decision to cancel the play was understandable, given the controversy around the photo, but was it the best decision that could have been made?

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]]> NCAC Protests the Removal of American Diversity Posters over Alleged “anti-Trump” bias https://ncac.org/news/blog/ncac-protests-the-removal-of-american-diversity-posters-over-alleged-anti-trump-bias Wed, 01 Mar 2017 18:38:53 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=56027 NCAC is urging a Maryland school district to allow its teachers to display a series of posters promoting diversity and inclusion in America after administrators ordered their removal over concerns of political bias.

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]]> Maryland School District Censors American Diversity Posters for ‘anti-Trump’ Bias https://ncac.org/news/blog/maryland-school-district-censors-american-diversity-posters-for-anti-trump-bias Mon, 27 Feb 2017 21:57:33 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=56003 The posters were deemed to break the school's policy that forbids classroom materials that attempt to sway the political opinions of students.

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]]> Black History Month Art Exhibition Removed From School Admin. Offices; UPDATE: NCAC & ACLU Urge District to Immediately Restore Exhibit https://ncac.org/news/blog/black-history-month-art-exhibition-removed-from-school-admin-offices Thu, 09 Feb 2017 18:24:56 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=55728 An exhibition of artworks celebrating Black History Month was removed from display in a San Jose School district building after complaints calling the works offensive.

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]]> New Report Catalogs Attacks on Artistic Freedom Around The World in 2016 https://ncac.org/news/blog/new-report-catalogs-2016-attacks-on-artistic-freedom-around-the-world Wed, 08 Feb 2017 18:28:35 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=55698 The number of cases registered in 2016 more than doubled the amount registered in 2015, an increase of 119%, which translates to an extra 469 attacks.

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]]> NCAC Responds to American University Museum’s Removal of Controversial Sculpture; UPDATE: NCAC Advises AU Museum on Strategies to Avoid Future Controversy https://ncac.org/news/blog/ncac-responds-to-american-university-museums-removal-of-controversial-sculpture Mon, 30 Jan 2017 22:47:09 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=55558 American University Museum in Washington D.C. flubbed its approach to a controversial sculpture after it claimed it did not want the message of the sculpture to be deemed the institution's own.

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]]> Missouri Congressman Defends Student Painting Attacked for Animal Depiction of Police; UPDATE: Without Permission, Rep. Lawmaker Removes Painting https://ncac.org/news/blog/after-criticism-missouri-congressman-supports-student-painting-attacked-for-animal-depiction-of-police Wed, 04 Jan 2017 22:13:04 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=55339 Representative Clay has stood in support of artistic free expression in the face of criticisms that the painting contains an anti-police message.

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]]> Georgia Lawmakers Attack Museum Exhibition Exploring AIDS Epidemic https://ncac.org/news/blog/georgia-lawmakers-attack-museum-exhibition-exploring-aids-epidemic Wed, 01 Jun 2016 19:50:11 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=52110 David Wojnarowicz (born 1954, died 1992) Untitled (Buffalo), 1988-89. Vintage gelatin silver print, signed on verso, 28⅝x35¾; inches. Collection of Michael Sodomick, Courtesy of the Estate of David Wojnarowicz and P.P.O.W Gallery, New York   In statements reminiscent of the culture wars of the 1990s, three Republican lawmakers in Cobb County, Georgia have [...]

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]]> American Nocturne: When Public Art Engenders Controversy; UPDATE: Mural Removed, Elgin Arts Commission Will Decide Fate https://ncac.org/letters/american-nocturne-re-locating-muffles-its-meaning Thu, 26 May 2016 21:59:45 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=52047 NCAC has sent a letter to Elgin Mayor David Kaptain supporting the mural's return in advance of the City Council's vote on its fate on July 13th.

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]]> Penny Dreadful in Paint: Accusations of Blasphemy Hit Virginia MOCA/Hi-Fructose Exhibition https://ncac.org/news/blog/penny-dreadful-in-paint-accusations-of-blasphemy-hit-virginia-moca-exhibition Tue, 17 May 2016 00:36:38 +0000 https://ncac.org/?p=51924 Mark Ryden: Fountain, 2003. Oil on Panel, 12x6.25 inches. ©Mark Ryden. In a replay of former New York Mayor Guiliani's attempt to grab attention by attacking "blasphemous" art, Ben Loyola, a member of the Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission, is directing his ire against the work of LA-based painter Mark Ryden, featured in Turn the Page: [...]

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]]> Utah Art Center Gets $60k Settlement from City for Eviction, Censorship https://ncac.org/news/blog/utah-art-center-gets-60k-settlement-from-city-for-eviction-censorship Fri, 10 Jan 2014 17:14:58 +0000 http://ncacblog.wordpress.com/?p=9200 After cries of censorship, an eviction and a lawsuit, The Central Utah Art Center (CUAC) will receive a $60,000 in a settlement with the city of Ephraim, it was announced Friday. The lawsuit was filed in early 2013 after the CUAC was evicted from the space they had inhabited for 20 years. The city alleged [...]

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]]> Smithsonian Chief Who Caved to Censorship Pressure from Congress Will Retire Next Year https://ncac.org/news/blog/smithsonian-chief-who-caved-to-censorship-pressure-from-congress-will-retire-next-year Thu, 19 Sep 2013 21:30:04 +0000 http://ncacblog.wordpress.com/?p=9006 G. Wayne Clough is familiar to followers of NCAC as the Smithsonian Institution Secretary who unilaterally pulled a video from a National Portrait Gallery exhibition at the behest of Congressional Tea Party pressure. Clough has just announced he will resign … Continue reading →

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]]> Protests After Alaska School Censors Student Art Show https://ncac.org/news/blog/protests-after-alaska-school-censors-student-art-show Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:04:59 +0000 http://ncacblog.wordpress.com/?p=8538 "Art is a way to speak our minds!!!" one hand-drawn sign reads. "IB Art Matters!" reads another. These signs hang on the art display boards where art, done by Palmer High School's IB Art students, once hung. In response to recent censorship by the High School, students have made their voice heard in defense of [...]

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]]> NY Art School Boxes Student Sperm Project https://ncac.org/news/blog/school-of-visual-art-overreacts-and-boxes-student-art Tue, 05 Mar 2013 20:05:24 +0000 http://ncacblog.wordpress.com/?p=8373 The recent rather heavy-handed treatment of Marc Bradley Johnson’s MFA thesis project at New York’s School of Visual Art (SVA) raises some interesting concerns—especially for an institution that aims to play a leadership role in the bio-art movement. Johnson’s project consists of a refrigerator containing 68 vials of his sperm arranged on a grid. The [...]

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]]> On the Fifth Day of Censorship, the Censors Gave to Me…A Golden Chastity Key https://ncac.org/news/blog/on-the-fifth-day-of-censorship-the-censors-gave-to-me-a-golden-chastity-key Fri, 07 Dec 2012 15:11:21 +0000 http://ncacblog.wordpress.com/?p=6706 The Twelve Days of Censorship Years of Censorship Battles 120 Days of Sodom Egyptian Breasts Milking Nude Ladies Dancing Lords Banned for Witchcraft Bush Monkeys Swimming Nude Adults laying A golden chastity key Aristophanes‘ The Birds Catholic French outrage, a Clear Channel Dove and no art in Newark library Joy Crane's chastity belt sculpture was too risque for the "family-friendly" Brookings Art [...]

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