Professors from the University of North Texas's College of Visual Arts and Design have publicly criticized the institution's unexplained decision to cancel a solo art exhibition by Victor Quiñonez, emphasizing concerns about academic freedom and artistic expression.
In a formal communication to the university's leadership, the faculty voiced strong disapproval regarding the sudden removal of Quiñonez's show. They highlighted that such an action conflicts with UNT's established principles concerning intellectual liberty, constitutional rights, and the open exchange of diverse perspectives, which are vital to higher education. The letter specifically referenced the university’s own policies on freedom of expression, including one updated in 2024, which states that the university should not shield individuals from ideas they might find disagreeable or offensive, and another affirming non-discrimination against artworks based on content or viewpoint.
Despite inquiries from various media outlets, including ARTnews, UNT has not provided an official explanation for the exhibition's cancellation, only confirming its closure. Quiñonez revealed he received an anonymous email from a supposed UNT employee suggesting the show was removed due to anti-ICE content in his artwork, leading him to believe it was an act of censorship. The faculty's letter echoed these sentiments without directly using the term 'censorship', stressing that the unexplained removal of an exhibition, especially one focusing on marginalized experiences, questions who gets a voice and whose narratives are valued, underscoring the university's duty to protect diverse expressions and dignity.
The faculty also pointed out UNT's designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, with a significant Hispanic or Latinx student population. They argued that canceling an exhibition rooted in Latino cultural experiences without explanation erodes trust and undermines the institution's commitment to the communities it serves. The controversy began last week when news broke about the closure of Quiñonez's exhibition, which had initially opened at the Boston University Art Galleries. Quiñonez only learned of the closure after UNT students contacted him, leading to the gallery director informing him that the art loan agreement had been terminated and his work was being returned. Quiñonez views this incident as a reaffirmation of the critical role art plays in expressing truth and challenging injustice, even when faced with suppression, a sentiment echoed by the faculty who believe universities should be spaces for encountering ideas, not concealing them, and that art fosters reflection, discourse, and growth essential for education.