The District 233 school board adopted a new policy for student art projects that include nudity. During the special July 14 board meeting, the board unanimously agreed to a policy that was approved by the board’s attorney. The policy recognizes nudity “is not necessarily obscene or indecent and that the depiction of the human body in art has an extensive history.”
The District 233 school board adopted a new policy for student art projects that include nudity.
The board felt it was necessary to state as a specific policy how nudity would be accepted in student artwork. During the special July 14 board meeting, the board unanimously agreed to a policy that was approved by the board’s attorney. The policy recognizes nudity “is not necessarily obscene or indecent and that the depiction of the human body in art has an extensive history.”
Superintendent Von Mansfield reported during a recent board Planning Committee meeting that a senior’s artwork depicting nudity was submitted to a competition and it created conversation about what was acceptable.
Under the new policy: 1) Students can not submit obscene artistic expression; and 2) Student artistic expression that depicts human nudity in sexually suggestive poses may be declined for academic credit and will not be eligible for publication in any school publication or be displayed in the school or in any venue associated with the school.
Mansfield said the policy is meant to “keep everyone safe but also to maintain our creative aspects of what it means for students. “ He pointed out that Advanced Placement art class “does allow nude portfolio items around certain constructs” and what’s “most appropriate for the school district, student and that piece of art.”
Should questions arise, the superintendent will appoint a committee to review any dispute to the policy.