Defending artistic expression in academic museums: A study of the American Library Association's Intellectual Freedom model

Museum controversies compromise public access and appreciation of art as well as jeopardize arts funding. For this reason it is imperative that museum professionals develop comprehensive systems to manage and combat censorship disputes. The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom has developed a model with framework and strategies proven to support professionals during censorship debates. The library model, if applied to academic museums and galleries would allow for a systematic straightforward approach in preparing, defending and promoting intellectual freedom and artistic expression in academic museums.