A controversy has been shaking the visual arts community following the firing of Philip Barlow, the curator of the Washington Projects for the Arts/Corcoran’s “OPTIONS 2005” biennial. The root of the artistic flap can be traced back to two public art exhibitions, the Party Animals and Pandamania, the much-loved sidewalk art/charity projects organized by the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities.

In September, the Post reported that Barlow would not be considering artists who participated in the Pandamania and Party Animals projects. DC Art News reported on Wednesday that Barlow was fired as curator because he was firm in his decision to not include Pandamania and Party Animal artists. Apparently, members of the Corcoran’s board of trustees were incensed that Barlow would shun the artists and the sidewalk art exhibitions.

This sparked discussion on a variety of fronts. Here’s what experimental photographer James W. Bailey has to say. Here’s what Thinking About Art has to say.

What do you think? Should a curator have the right to set his or her own parameters for what can be included in a particular exhibition? Are the pandas and party animals real art or just cute sidewalk statues?