Vasari Art Codex

article policy schedule Dec 18, 2025 visibility 2 link 3 artists, 2 galleries

txst black history 101 mobile museum visit aclu challenge 1234767478

Texas State University (TXST) canceled a scheduled appearance of the Black History 101 Mobile Museum at its San Marcos campus for Black History Month 2026, prompting a First Amendment challenge from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas. The museum's founder, Khalid El-Hakim, had been invited by a campus activities director on October 13, 2025, but the invitation was rescinded on October 28 after consultation with supervisors and leadership. The ACLU's letter to TXST president Kelly Damphousse cited a 2023 Texas Senate bill banning DEI programs at public universities and the state's political climate as reasons for the cancellation, though the university denied the DEI ban was the cause.

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article news schedule Jan 13, 2026 visibility 3 link 3 artists

art history teacher charlie kirk investigation florida 1234769708

Hope McMath, an artist and art history teacher at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville, Florida, was removed from the classroom in September 2024 after posting about the assassination of Charlie Kirk on her private social media. An investigation by Duval County Public Schools found only a minor violation for profanity, but the district refused to reinstate her due to a concurrent state education board investigation. McMath is suing the school district, state officials, and Moms for Liberty, alleging her removal was politically motivated and violated her free speech rights.

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article news schedule Oct 7, 2025 visibility 1 link 2 galleries

south dakota art professor reinstated charlie kirk comments 1234755756

Tenured University of South Dakota art professor Michael Hook, who faced termination after making social media comments about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, has dropped his lawsuit after being reinstated. Hook posted remarks on September 10 calling Kirk a "hate-spreading Nazi" and expressing indifference to his death, which sparked public outcry from South Dakota political leaders including Governor Larry Rhoden. The university placed Hook on administrative leave and moved to fire him on September 12, prompting Hook to sue the school and the South Dakota Board of Regents on September 23, citing First Amendment violations. After students organized a petition with nearly 22,000 signatures, USD president Sheila Gestring withdrew the termination on October 3, citing Hook's apology and employment record, leading Hook to dismiss the lawsuit as moot.

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article news schedule Oct 7, 2025 visibility 1 link 2 galleries

south dakota art professor reinstated charlie kirk comments 1234755756

Tenured University of South Dakota art professor Michael Hook, who faced termination for social media comments about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, has been reinstated after dropping his lawsuit. Hook posted remarks on September 10 calling Kirk a "hate-spreading Nazi" after the activist was shot dead, then apologized and deleted the post. South Dakota political leaders including Governor Larry Rhoden called for his firing, and USD placed Hook on administrative leave on September 12. Hook sued the university and the South Dakota Board of Regents on September 23, arguing his comments were protected by the First Amendment. Students organized a petition with nearly 22,000 signatures supporting his reinstatement. On October 3, USD president Sheila Gestring withdrew the termination notice, citing Hook's apology and employment record. Hook then dismissed the lawsuit as moot.

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article policy schedule Feb 20, 2026 visibility 7

“Flagrant Act of Censorship”: NCAC & ACLU of Texas Call Out UNT Over Gallery Shutdown

The National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) and the ACLU of Texas have issued a formal challenge to the University of North Texas (UNT) following the abrupt closure of an exhibition by artist Victor “Marka 27” Quiñonez. The show, titled 'Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá', featured works exploring Latin American identity and immigration, including pieces critical of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Shortly after opening, the university shuttered the gallery, covered the windows, and terminated the artist's loan agreement without providing a clear explanation.

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article policy schedule Sep 23, 2025 link 2 artists, 1 gallery

federal court rules gender ideology ban on art endowments unconstitutional 1234753210

A Rhode Island federal court ruled on Friday that National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grants do not have to comply with President Trump’s executive order banning “gender ideology.” The order, introduced in February, prohibited federal funds from being used to promote the idea that males can identify as women and vice versa, and was applied to the NEA grant application process. The ACLU’s Rhode Island branch filed a lawsuit in March on behalf of several theaters, arguing the policy violated First Amendment rights by restricting the types of works that could receive funding. Judge William E. Smith, appointed by former President George W. Bush, found the policy unconstitutional, noting that the 1965 law establishing the NEA requires grants to be awarded solely on merit. A subsequent “final notice” allowing the NEA chair to review applications on a case-by-case basis was also struck down as a viewpoint-based restriction on artists’ speech.

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