Brooklyn Museum Art Controversy Survey 1999 [United States]

This national survey collected data on Americans' attitudes concerning freedom of expression issues arising from the exhibit of an art show at the Brooklyn Museum in the fall of 1999. Debate about the show, titled "Sensation," centered on a painting of the Virgin Mary by British artist Chris Ofili that incorporated some unconventional images into its design. The survey included questions about awareness of the debate, attitudes toward the public display of potentially controversial art, attitudes toward government censorship of art, and attitudes toward public funding of museums that display controversial art. Respondents were also asked for their demographic information including age, sex, and income. A total of 1,005 computer-assisted telephone interviews were conducted between September 29 and October 3, 1999.