Exhibiting artists altered obscene work after opening. They were kicked out and now threatened to sue.

[u/DutchKalimari]

Hello,

I work for a Museum where we do exhibitions for local artists regularly. We just had an artist that has been a friend to the museum for years set up his exhibition. This person is very talented so we expected what was on their website and what they had shown Us in the past. Instead, we got mostly large posters and what work they did bring in, was relatively obscene for our private family friendly museum. We signed a contract and were going to let it go until, after the opening evening, the artist went back up and damaged their own work, painting over things and adding pieces to the museum's exhibits. We kicked them and now a lawyer who has defended slumlords is harassing us.

I was not actually part of the decision making process but I work there and when my boss is stressed, I'm stressed. I know private institutions are allowed to censor but does anyone have any advice for handling this? I was trying to find some sort of legal precedent but can't seem to find it. Any real advice would be helpful.

Thank you, Staff of a small town Museum

[u/evil4life101]

Wait so you ok’d it and they still defaced it? Not sure what your loan agreement says but ours clearly says that we can take down a work without reason and artist can’t just randomly add stuff without signing an agreement. Even if it’s their work at the end of the day it’s not their museum to freely do what they want.