Detroit Museum Pays Artist for Canceled Exhibition

The Detroit Institute of Arts has paid $12,500 to an artist to compensate for canceling his exhibition, which included works with sexual and racial themes.

Jef Bourgeau received the money Wednesday as payment for his time and materials. The museum closed his exhibition, which included a Jesus figure wearing a condom and an artwork whose title contained a racial slur, two days after it opened in November.

Although the exhibition had been accepted by the museum two years ago, its new director, Graham Beal, formerly director of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, said he closed it because it contained elements that would “cause offense to important parts of our community.”

“In no way does the museum consider this a settlement,” museum spokeswoman Annmarie Erickson said. “It is a payment. From now on, artists--particularly those doing installations--will have firm contracts.”

Bourgeau, who accused the museum of censorship, said his initial reaction was to burn the check. But he said he decided to use the money to help establish a permanent museum of contemporary art for the city.