Artists and scholars petition for the reappointment of the head of Whitney's ISP, who was dismissed amid accusations of censorship.

Artists and scholars petition for the reappointment of the head of Whitney's ISP, who was dismissed amid accusations of censorship.

In a move widely criticised as censorship, the Whitney Museum has cancelled the performance "No Aesthetic Outside My Freedom: Mourning, Militancy, and Performance". The decision, related to the work's expression of solidarity with the Palestinian people, has sparked significant backlash from artists and scholars.

The controversy surrounds the dismissal of Sara Nadal-Melsió, the Whitney’s Independent Study Program (ISP) associate director, who had publicly protested the cancellation. Over 100 artists and scholars, including Emily Jacir, Hans Haacke, and Michael Rakowitz, have signed an open letter in defence of Dr. Nadal-Melsió.

The museum's decision to cancel the performance and the subsequent dismissal of Dr. Nadal-Melsió have been viewed as a suppression of artistic freedom and a refusal to engage in meaningful dialogue. Critics have highlighted the broader systemic issues this case reveals, including institutional censorship, lack of transparency, systemic racism, misogyny, and workers' rights abuses within the art world and museum culture.

Dr. Nadal-Melsió was appointed the first associate director in 2024 and became the nominal leader in February. However, her position was eliminated in June following the cancellation of "No Aesthetic". In a protest letter, Dr. Nadal-Melsió stated that the ISP has always been unapologetically engaged with the politics of its times and faces unprecedented censorship and a threat to its foundational independence.

The performance "No Aesthetics" was originally commissioned by leftist Jewish magazine Jewish Currents. In the video, a performer opened the show with a request that its attendees only remain in audience if they "love Palestinians wholly and completely," and should leave if they "believe in Israel in any incarnation."

The cancellation of "No Aesthetic" coincided with the suspension of the ISP’s 2025-2026 program. The ISP's three cohorts, including curatorial, studio, and critical studies, released statements in support of the performance on social media. The art star-studded alumni roster of the ISP includes Naomi Beckwith, Emily Jacir, LaToya Ruby Frazier, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Glenn Ligon, and Jenny Holzer.

The Whitney Museum has not yet responded to a request for comment regarding the controversy. The circumstances of the demotion of artist and writer Gregg Bordowitz within the ISP are unclear. A letter protesting Nadal-Melsió’s firing and the cancellation circulated among the art community, emphasising the importance of defending artistic expression and addressing power dynamics in cultural institutions.

The Whitney Independent Study Program, in its current cohort, has faced censorship controversy leading to Pro-Palestine protests at the Whitney and the withdrawal of some work by ISP artists. The letter also calls for an independent investigation into the termination of the ISP’s Associate Director and its implications for academic and artistic freedoms at the museum, as requested by the Artists at Risk Connection (ARC). The ISP had occupied various venues across New York City until 2023, when it settled in Roy Lichtenstein's former Greenwich Village home and studio.

The situation at the Whitney Museum serves as a stark reminder of the importance of artistic freedom and the need for transparency and open dialogue in cultural institutions. The controversy continues to provoke discussions and debates within the art community, as well as calls for change and reform.

1. The gallery, 'No Aesthetic Outside My Freedom: Mourning, Militancy, and Performance', was cancelled at the Whitney Museum.
2. The curator, Sara Nadal-Melsió, was dismissed following the controversy.
3. The museum's decision has sparked significant backlash from artists and scholars worldwide.
4. Over 100 artists and scholars, including Emily Jacir, Hans Haacke, and Michael Rakowitz, have signed an open letter in defense of Dr. Nadal-Melsió.
5. Critics view the decision as a suppression of artistic freedom and a refusal to engage in meaningful dialogue.
6. The broader systemic issues revealed in this case include institutional censorship, lack of transparency, systemic racism, misogyny, and workers' rights abuses within the art world and museum culture.
7. Dr. Nadal-Melsió was appointed in 2024 and became the nominal leader in February, but her position was eliminated in June.
8. Her protest letter highlighted the ISP's unapologetic engagement with the politics of its times and the threat to its foundational independence.
9. The performance was commissioned by Jewish Currents, a leftist Jewish magazine.
10. The performer at the show requested attendees to stay if they loved Palestinians wholly and completely.
11. The suspension of the ISP’s 2025-2026 program coincided with the cancellation of 'No Aesthetic'.
12. The ISP's cohorts, including curatorial, studio, and critical studies, released statements in support of the performance on social media.
13. The art community has circulated a letter protesting Nadal-Melsió’s firing and the cancellation.
14. The Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) has requested an independent investigation into the termination of the ISP’s Associate Director.
15. The ISP occupied various venues across New York City until 2023, when it settled in Roy Lichtenstein's former Greenwich Village home and studio.
16. The situation at the Whitney Museum underscores the importance of artistic freedom and the need for transparency and open dialogue in cultural institutions.
17. The controversy continues to provoke discussions and debates within the art community.
18. Calls for change and reform have emerged as a response to the controversy.
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