Protecting Artists, Protecting Books: The National Coalition Against Censorship

From helping artists protect their work to defending librarians who resist requests to ban books, the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) fights censorship in America every day. Formed in 1973 in response to the Miller v. California Supreme Court case, the NCAC is a group that promotes freedom of speech and protects the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment. As the NCAC supports the librarians, museum curators, and students targeted by censors, it also makes sure to inform public officials of their responsibilities to protect freedom of speech.

On the NCAC Web site, visitors can find many resources for resisting censorship. The Book Censorship Toolkit helps students, parents, and school officials combat objections to books assigned to students or found in school libraries. The Museum Best Practices for Managing Controversy helps museum staff members and artists prevent censorship issues before they begin. The Art Law Library and Censorpedia, sites created by the NCAC, offer a wealth of information on past cases of censorship in the United States and inform artists of their rights.

The MLA has been a member of the NCAC for thirty-six years, standing with the fifty-six not-for-profit organizations that compose the coalition. As a member of the NCAC, the MLA is a part of a national effort to promote free and open discourse in our schools, museums, and beyond.