Visiting artists have withdrawn from the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design’s visiting lecture series, and more “collateral damage” is expected in the wake of Indiana University’s cancellation of Samia Halaby’s exhibition at the Eskenazi Art Museum.
On Feb. 7, 75 faculty and staff members signed the letter, which expressed disappointment in IU’s lack of transparency in deciding to cancel the exhibition. The university cited security concerns, though it has not provided any evidence of a specific threat. The letter also laments damage to the school’s reputation caused by the cancellation.
“The administration’s abrupt cancellation of the exhibition compromises IU’s reputation as a haven of creative expression, academic freedom, and human rights,” faculty said in the letter. “We can only anticipate further challenges recruiting faculty, students, and visitors disinclined to participate in an academic environment with such tight administrative control over creative activity and research.”
Speakers from visiting artist series withdraw
The letter says three artists already have withdrawn from the school’s McKinney Visiting Artist Series this spring, and another former visiting artist “plans never to return to IU.”
New York-based visual artist Theresa Ganz, who was expected to visit the Eskenazi School on March 1, wrote on Instagram that she could not “in good conscience” participate in the lecture series while Halaby’s exhibition remains canceled.