Funding controversies at the National Endowment for the Arts have
been discussed extensively in many forums, but the complexities
of free speech in government-funded activities have been muddled
in too much of this debate. I consider free speech for artists
under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the appropriateness
of government support for cultural activities, the role of Congress
and the executive branch in carrying out these activities, the
difficulties in judging aesthetic value both within and outside
of government, and the philosophical and legal concerns surrounding
the debate over free speech for artists.
This page maintained by Julie Van Camp
Your questions and comments are welcome: jvancamp@csulb.edu
Last updated: July 3, 1997