Visual Art

Letter From NCAC and FAP To Marin Civic Center In Response To Art Censorship

By NCAC Staff|2016-04-07T15:42:33-04:00April 14th, 2011|Incidents|

As organizations dedicated to promoting the First Amendment right to free speech, including freedom of artistic expression, we are deeply concerned about the removal of Sylvia Cossich Goodman’s work from the annual Marin Arts Council member show at the County Civic Center. Your decision, as a government employee, to remove an artwork from an exhibition held at a public space raises serious First Amendment concerns. We urge the Civic Center to immediately put the work back on display and, in the future, draft exhibition policies that are consistent with First Amendment principles.

Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’? Create a Statue of Jackson With Child

By NCAC Blog|2019-03-15T17:03:42-04:00April 8th, 2011|Blog|

A statue commemorating the time Michael Jackson dangled his baby son out of a Berlin hotel window was unveiled in London this week. L.A. artist Maria Von Köhler has received death threats for the statute, entitled "Madonna and Child". Others have asked that the installation be removed. Enraged fan krazy4kitties asks, "This is disgraceful. What kind of person would do [...]

Call For Imediate Release of Ai Weiwei

Incidents

Call For Imediate Release of Ai Weiwei

By NCAC Staff|2020-01-03T14:24:31-05:00April 8th, 2011|Incidents|

The arrest of Ai Weiwei at Beijing Capital Airport on April 3 is an assault on socially engaged artists everywhere. Read NCAC's statement and find out how to add your voice.

LA MOCA Whitewashes Political Mural

By NCAC Staff|2019-03-07T21:56:24-05:00December 10th, 2010|Incidents|

LA MOCA, newly headed by New York transplant Jeffrey Deitch, whitewashed a mural painted by internationally known street artist BLU. The mural, originally commissioned by MOCA for their upcoming Art in the Street exhibit, faces the Veterans Administration healthcare building on Temple Street in Downtown Los Angeles.

The National Portrait Gallery Betrays Constitutional Principles

Incidents

The National Portrait Gallery Betrays Constitutional Principles

By NCAC Staff|2016-05-19T12:39:00-04:00December 3rd, 2010|Incidents|

A joint statement by the NCAC, ABFFE, AICA-USA, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, AAP, Catholics for Choice, and other art and free speech organizations protesting the removal of David Wojnarowicz’s 1987 video Fire in My Belly from the National Portrait Gallery in response to pressure from the Catholic League and Republicans in Congress.

Art School Pulls Student Pieces From Exhibition

By Julie Adler|2019-03-07T21:50:51-05:00November 24th, 2010|Blog|

A photograph of a male nude by Savannah College of Art & Design student Nicole Craine was among the several artworks taken down before an Open Studio Exhibition at the school in October. Reportedly, the students were given no explanation as to why their work was taken down. College administrators later admitted that the content would be “unacceptable” for a [...]

Controversial Artwork Vandalized in Colorado

By Svetlana Mintcheva|2020-01-03T13:38:39-05:00October 7th, 2010|Blog|

What began as a heated protest over Enrique Chagoya’s artwork at the Loveland Museum in Colorado has ended in vandalism. A disgruntled woman ripped into Chagoya’s controversial lithograph “The Misadventures of the Romantic Cannibals” after she busted the artwork’s plexiglass case with a crowbar. City council members, religious groups and individuals had hoped that the public pressure caused by the [...]

Controversial artwork vandalized in Colorado

By NCAC Staff|2020-01-03T13:38:38-05:00October 7th, 2010|Incidents|

What began as a heated protest over Enrique Chagoya's artwork at the Loveland Museum in Colorado has ended in vandalism. A disgruntled woman ripped into Chagoya's controversial lithograph after she busted the artwork's plexiglass case with a crowbar. City council members, religious groups and individuals had hoped that the public pressure caused by the artwor's racy religious content would get Chagoya's piece yanked from the government-funded museum.

NCAC Joins Brief in Snyder v. Phelps

By Barbara Pyles|2025-06-12T12:32:04-04:00August 13th, 2010|Incidents, Legal Advocacy|

In July, 2010, NCAC joins The Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression, The Marion B. Brechner First Amendment Project, and The Pennsylvania Center for The First Amendment in a friend of the court brief in the Supreme Court in support of the right to protest.

NCAC Joins Brief Supporting Car Art

Incidents

NCAC Joins Brief Supporting Car Art

By NCAC Staff|2019-03-15T16:34:56-04:00July 9th, 2010|Incidents|

On July 8, 2010, the NCAC joined Texas Civil Rights Project, First Amendment Project, Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts, The Arthouse at the Jones Center, and Big Umbrella Studios in filing a friend of the court brief to the Supreme Court in support of an art display in Texas (Kleinman v. City of San Marcos).

NCAC Protests Removal of Nude Painting from Art Exhibition, Temecula Apologizes

Incidents

NCAC Protests Removal of Nude Painting from Art Exhibition, Temecula Apologizes

By NCAC Staff|2019-03-15T18:13:43-04:00February 17th, 2010|Incidents|

NCAC is protesting the censorship of an artwork to be displayed at a city-owned gallery in Temecula, CA. Jeff Hebron’s painting, which had been selected for inclusion in Visual Expressions 2010, was removed from the exhibition because it depicted a nude figure.

Letter: Censoring Public Art Censors All of Us

By NCAC Staff|2019-03-15T18:13:30-04:00July 7th, 2009|Blog|

The removal of "Walking Man" from the public space in front of the Anton Art Center because of individual complaints is a disturbing violation of both the artist's free speech and the rights of the public to have access to a wide variety of artistic expression ("Mount Clemens has gallery move nude statue indoors," June 23).

NCAC’s statement on the removal of sculpture from public university exhibit

By Svetlana Mintcheva|2016-01-14T15:50:04-05:00March 23rd, 2009|Blog|

Statement from the National Coalition Against Censorship Regarding the Recent Removal of an Artwork from an Exhibition at BGSU Firelands’ Little Gallery The recent removal of artwork by James Parlin from an exhibition of sculpture in the Little Gallery at Bowling Green State University Firelands is an unacceptable violation of the academic freedom to openly discuss ideas and social problems [...]

BGSU Interim Provost Responds Regarding the Recent Removal of an Artwork from an Exhibition at Firelands’ Little Gallery

Incidents

BGSU Interim Provost Responds Regarding the Recent Removal of an Artwork from an Exhibition at Firelands’ Little Gallery

By NCAC Staff|2016-01-15T16:31:26-05:00March 23rd, 2009|Incidents|

In an email to faculty BGSU Interim Provost stated that “the piece was initially removed so that [] legal review could occur.” Apparently, BGSU administrators wondered whether “the sculpture constituted child pornography or breached restrictions on depictions of child abuse.”

UNC Wilmington pulls nude photographs of minors from The Century Project

By NCAC Staff|2024-10-30T10:04:23-04:00March 2nd, 2009|Updates|

Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at UNCW Resigns Brian Chapman, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, resigned this week after a less than a year-long tenure. The resignation came shortly after the UNCW Faculty Senate passed a motion admonishing the UNCW administration for not consulting with the Women's Resource Center, [...]

Letter to UNCW Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo

By NCAC Staff|2016-01-15T15:14:55-05:00March 2nd, 2009|Incidents|

Rosemary DePaolo Chancellor UNC Wilmington 601 South College Road Wilmington, N.C. 28403-3297 [email protected] February 27, 2009 Dear Chancellor DePaolo- On behalf of the National Coalition Against Censorship, an alliance of over 50 national non-profit organizations united in defense of free expression, I would like to express deep concern over the removal of a substantial part of The Century Project photo [...]

Student Art Censored from Modesto Gallery Show

By Svetlana Mintcheva|2019-03-13T15:16:06-04:00February 10th, 2009|Blog|

The art work of four art students at Ceres’ Central Valley High School (Ceres, CA) was rejected from the annual Young Masters Art Show. The Art Show, hosted by the Mistlin Gallery in downtown Modesto, CA, features the work of young people ages 1 through 18. Art teachers are allowed to submit 20 pieces (two per student), with all entries [...]

Exposing the Censor Within: The Installation

Events, Updates

Exposing the Censor Within: The Installation

By NCAC Staff|2024-10-02T15:27:26-04:00February 2nd, 2009|Events, Updates|

Were there times you were afraid to speak up? Do you sometimes wish you spoke your mind more? Do you wish you censored yourself more? Have you changed what you’ve written for fear it would get you into trouble? In your art, music, writing, or filmmaking do you ever stop yourself from doing what you want because you are [...]

Terrorizing Art

By Svetlana Mintcheva|2019-03-15T18:06:54-04:00June 23rd, 2008|Censorship News Articles|

In a highly publicized incident this March, the San Francisco Art Institute cancelled Don't Trust Me, an exhibition by Algerian-born French artist Abdel Abdessemed consisting of video footage of animals being killed by a single blow from a sledgehammer.

Art Removed from Courthouse Entrance

By NCAC Staff|2016-01-15T15:09:52-05:00July 19th, 2007|Incidents|

by Roland Stoy for The Reporter UPDATE: The painting was later showen at an art show less than a block away from the courthouse. According to the artist: "Everyone that saw the painting appreciated it and some folks had strong words for the courthouse officials that pulled the art from exhibit. I felt it was a real coup to display [...]

Connecticut Community Center Restores Censored Artwork

By NCAC Staff|2024-10-01T17:45:23-04:00April 6th, 2007|Incidents|

Mansfield, CT Some decisions to take down artwork after individual complaints are made hastily and put government officials in a precarious situation. In such cases it is crucial for supporters of free expression to speak up! A recent case proves this point: In February 2007 the Mansfield Community Center in Mansfield, CT removed three pieces of art on display at [...]

Letter to Mansfield Director of Parks & Recreation Demanding that Artist’s Work Be Returned to Show at Community Center

By NCAC Staff|2019-03-15T17:59:21-04:00March 6th, 2007|Incidents|

We were disturbed to learn that a photo collage by George Jacobi and two sculptures by Eda Easton have been removed from the Mansfield Community Center because of individual complaints. We urge you to return the work to display as soon as possible.

Letter to the Centro Cultural Aztlan in Response to the Removal of Anna-Marie Lopez’s work

By NCAC Staff|2024-09-30T18:46:43-04:00January 23rd, 2007|Incidents|

Below is NCAC's letter to the Centro Cultural Aztlan; for background, click here. The recent removal of Anna-Marie Lopez's work from a show at the Centro Cultural Aztlan has shaken belief in the Centro’s real commitment to the representation of a diversity of Chicano voices and has led many in the community to suspect that the Centro is censoring artists’ [...]

Of Threats, Intimidation, Sensitivity, and Free Speech: The Muhammad Cartoons

FEPP Articles

Of Threats, Intimidation, Sensitivity, and Free Speech: The Muhammad Cartoons

By Marjorie Heins|2017-12-04T15:51:57-05:00February 22nd, 2006|FEPP Articles|

Countless words have been spilled over the Danish newspaper JyullandsPosten's publication last September of 12 cartoons commenting on journalistic self-censorship and Islamic beliefs, including several that caricatured the prophet Muhammad. Surely, everything has been said by now. Yet the controversy rages on: Is this an easy case for freedom of expression? Should there be no acquiescence in demands by some Muslims, [...]

Will Fair Use Survive? Free Expression in the Age of Copyright Control – Intro

FEPP Articles

Will Fair Use Survive? Free Expression in the Age of Copyright Control – Intro

By Marjorie Heins & Tricia Beckles|2020-01-03T15:47:35-05:00December 1st, 2005|FEPP Articles|

Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law Free Expression Policy Project December 2005 Are increasingly heavy assertions of control by copyright and trademark owners smothering fair use and free expression? The product of more than a year of research, Will Fair Use Survive? paints a striking picture of an intellectual property system that is perilously out of balance. Read [...]

REPORT: Will Fair Use Survive: Free Expression in the Age of Copyright Control – Full Report

FEPP Articles

REPORT: Will Fair Use Survive: Free Expression in the Age of Copyright Control – Full Report

By Marjorie Heins & Tricia Beckles|2017-10-18T15:35:24-04:00November 16th, 2005|FEPP Articles|

Read the report below; click here for a full screen view.

Letter Protesting Denver International Airport Censorship

By NCAC Staff|2016-02-05T12:57:12-05:00August 16th, 2004|Incidents|

August 16, 2004 Mayor John W. Hickenlooper 1437 Bannock Street, Ste. 350 Denver, Colorado 80202 Dear Mayor Hickenlooper, The National Coalition Against Censorship, an alliance of 50 national non-profit organizations that collaborate to defend First Amendment rights, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado, have been alerted to the recent removal of several works of art from an installation [...]

Superimposer Removed

By NCAC Staff|2016-02-05T14:43:45-05:00November 20th, 2003|Blog|

The Super Imposer Removed from Fairfield Center for Creative Arts Fairfield, CA Jim Kimberly's sculpture, "The Super Imposer," was removed from the Juried Art Show at the gallery of the Fairfield Center for Creative Arts in Fairfield, CA because it was considered politically controversial. The interactive sculpture, a two-sided panel with the American Flag on one side and Osama bin [...]

Nude Goddesses Banned from Nevada County Art Show

By NCAC Staff|2024-08-23T11:21:46-04:00October 1st, 2003|Incidents|

Nevada County, CA Show Cancelled Because of Nudes October 1, 2003 The work of 65 artists is to be taken down from Annual Open Studios Art show in California’s Nevada County Rood Administrative Center. The reason: the work of five of the artists contains partial nudity. Two of the paintings contain nudes viewed from the rear, the three other paintings [...]

Internet Freedom in Question

By NCAC Staff|2019-03-15T17:12:31-04:00January 13th, 2003|Blog|

While galleries and museums could choose to avoid controversy and exclude potentially controversial art, the Internet, with its wide accessibility ...

Free Expression in Arts Funding: A Public Policy Report

FEPP Articles

Free Expression in Arts Funding: A Public Policy Report

By Marjorie Heins, Christina Cho & Kim Commerato|2017-10-23T12:48:48-04:00January 1st, 2003|FEPP Articles|

Read the report below; click here for a full screen view.

NCAC Letter to the TN Arts Commission Protesting “No Nudes” Policy

By |2017-01-26T15:46:14-05:00March 21st, 2002|Incidents|

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE New York, NY March 21, 2001 Today, the National Coalition Against Censorship is urging the Tennessee Arts Commission to reconsider its apparent policy of banning all artwork containing nude figures from the TAC Gallery located in Nashville. The Tennessee Arts Commission and its gallery are funded by the State of Tennessee and the National Endowment [...]

Catholic League Objects to Traditional Figurines in Art Installation

By NCAC Staff|2019-03-15T17:47:27-04:00January 7th, 2002|Blog|

Always on the alert for "offensive" art work, the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights has once more found a target: the work of Spanish artist Antoni Miralda exhibited at Copia, Napa Valley's new food, wine and arts museum. The exhibition, "Active Ingredients," which runs through April 22, features specially commissioned food-related works by seven contemporary artists. Miralda, a [...]

Fatgirl Painting Removed

By NCAC Staff|2016-01-15T12:26:37-05:00November 3rd, 2001|Incidents|

The Hyde Park post office started hosting the Artist of the Month program, giving local artists the opportunity to display their work for an entire month in a place that draws hundreds of people per day. The works were on display in a special window in the building's lobby.

Wait a Minute Mr. Postman: Restore Post Office Art!

By NCAC Staff|2016-01-15T12:26:56-05:00November 3rd, 2001|Incidents|

Dear Mr Viola, We are writing to urge you to restore the Artist of the Month program to the Hyde Park Post Office. It is our understanding that you cancelled the year-old program as a way to deal with one complaint regarding Fatgirl, the painting chosen to present the work of Audrey Francis, November Artist of the Month. There are [...]

LA Art Center Pulls Paintings of Cops Dancing with Gang Members

By NCAC Staff|2017-05-02T14:10:19-04:00October 11th, 2001|Incidents|

The National Coalition Against Censorship, the ACLU of Southern California, The First Amendment Project of Oakland, CA and a large number of local and national artists announced that they are protesting the removal of Alex Donis' exhibition, "WAR," from the Watts Towers Art Center. Alex Donis, WAR. Shadow and Sergeant Kooney (oil and enamel on plexi) The show, which [...]

Male Nude Proves Too Realistic for California Art League

By NCAC Staff|2019-03-07T22:43:16-05:00September 27th, 2001|Blog|

The Elsie May Goodwin Art Center, run by the Stockton Art League, rejected a sculpture by one of its members—Vincent Mazo—because the piece was too anatomically explicit. The gallery has no policy excluding nudes, but, according to Aleen Gall, the gallery manager, the nudes normally exhibited are female and show no genitals. Interesting, I thought genitals were a part of [...]

Bryn Athyn, PA – Where Artists Censor Art

By NCAC Staff|2024-08-02T16:39:01-04:00September 27th, 2001|Blog|

Orchard Artworks, a Bryn Athyn, PA art gallery, removed six works by Linda Griffith from an exhibit that opened September 21, 2001. The work was considered "too political" for the gallery. The exhibit, "Uncertain Future: Earth Found, Used and Abused," focused on environment issues. Griffith's photographs committed the sin of bringing issues of environment abuse too close to home. The [...]

‘Our Lady’ Photo Offends in Santa Fe

By NCAC Staff|2024-09-30T18:47:07-04:00May 25th, 2001|Incidents|

A computer-edited photo collage by Los Angeles artist Alma López triggered a heated controversy in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

FL Community College Moves Art Mixing Bondage and Religion Behind Closed Doors

By NCAC Staff|2016-01-15T12:24:35-05:00March 21st, 2001|Incidents|

Santa Fe Community College Gainesville, FL March 21, 2001 Under pressure from the Catholic League and the local community, four works in the exhibition "Pat Payne: A look at Violence in Religious and Sexual Imagery" (February 8 - March 29, 2002) at the Santa Fe Community College Gallery were moved to a professor's office. Pat Payne's work blends sexual bondage [...]

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