The Whitney Museum of American Art has suspended its Independent Study Program (ISP) for the 2025-2026 academic year. The decision comes after current ISP participants accused the museum of censorship. In May, the museum cancelled a performance by ISP artists that addressed the ongoing war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The artists felt their work in solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for freedom was censored. Whitney director Scott Rothkopf cited the retirement of longtime ISP director Ron Clark in 2023 as a key reason for the suspension. Rothkopf said the resulting “leadership gap has strained both the strategic vision and day-to-day operations” of the ISP.
A museum spokesperson stated, “The Whitney remains deeply committed to the ISP and recognises its importance in the broader field as a space for experimentation, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary practice.” They added, “We believe it would be a disservice to welcome a new cohort in September with the present gap in leadership.”
Over 360 ISP alumni, faculty, and supporters signed an open letter declaring support for the current cohort.
Suspended program amid controversy
The letter affirmed solidarity against what signatories called an ongoing genocide in Gaza.
The letter stated, “The canceled performance, scrutinised artwork and scholarship, and atmosphere of censorship have their roots in a broader political climate of fear and intimidation in the United States.”
Founded in 1968, the ISP traditionally includes tracks for artists, curators, and scholars who engage in the program from September to May. The program has operated out of a building in Manhattan’s West Village near the Whitney Museum since 2023. The cancellation of the ISP performance sparked protests at the Whitney.
Critics accused the museum of policing artists and compared the decision to efforts to suppress dissent in authoritarian regimes. The controversy highlights challenges in maintaining academic and artistic freedom within institutions. It underscores tensions between curatorial decisions and principles of free expression.
The Whitney aims to resume the ISP in the 2026-2027 academic year after addressing concerns and finding a new long-term director to lead the program forward.
