censorship

Should politicians have the right to say what can & cannot be considered art as long as its not obscene & threaten to cut funding if some art objects are displayed in a public art gallery?

Public funding of art is as ludicrous-sounding to me, as public funding of my ammo stockpile would sound to a Brady.

Most National Museums like the Smithsonian have art galleries.

Drop the funding, censorship problem solved. The government should not be involved with funding art, the censorship issue being one of them.

As far as the Smithsonian goes they can easily survive without any government funds. It's a national treasure that could easily get private donations.

In looking into some funding that places get I ran across this site, & we wonder where all the tax money goes. This is from 05 so it is probably worse now. http://funding-programs.idilogic.aidpage.com/

I think if it were privately funded there wouldn't be things that were offensive displayed or very little because the paying customers wouldn't tolerate the disrespect that is blatantly intended. Offended customers means no profits. So let those that think it's art (offensive material) support it and pay the bill. Maybe then they'll be more considerate towards others they seem to enjoy offending when it comes out of their pockets.

I agree Bill, allow the paying public to decide what is art, beauty is in the eye of the beholder so to speak. If there is a display that is worthy then word gets out & it gets longer runs, if its bad it tanks what could be easier. Allow the people that are willing to pay to view to give merit, most people have different views & I think its unfair that if one or two or a committee decide what should or should not be shown. Simular to Broadway Plays the backers take the gamble, if its good it runs if not it flops.

Art, art, art...... someone remind me of the law....what it says & how it came about....but it's something like: All public buildings must spend a percentage of it's cost on art. I think it's one quarter of one percent, but it might be more. So, if you build a new school, or public auditorium that cost 50 million dollars, you are required to spend $125,000 on art (at .25%). I'm pretty sure the art is contracted out....any artist can apply and if they get picked, their art goes into that building.