Controversy in the Arts: An Administrative Perspective

This paper analyzes the presentation of controversial works of art from the perspective of the arts administrator. How can an institution successfully program art that is potentially explosive with minimal harm to the organization's reputation and with maximum benefit for patrons? The paper begins with an overview of controversial art, analyzes three cases of controversial art in museums and theatres, and concludes by providing a number of concrete proposals for how arts administrators can effectively prepare for and respond to controversy.