Bush to Ask ‘Cooling-Off Period’ Over Arts Funding

Seeking a “cooling-off period” on the volatile issue of government funding of the arts, the White House today will ask Congress to reauthorize the National Endowment for the Arts without any restrictions for only one year while a commission reviews the endowment’s grant-making procedures.

The decision amounts to an Administration concession that it has been unable to gain control over the growing move among conservatives in Congress to clamp down on what some view as government funding of obscene art. White House officials said they expect the congressional leadership to embrace the one-year reauthorization, and the proposal has the support of NEA Chairman John E. Frohnmayer, who said this is a chance to come up with “a reasonable solution, rather than a hysterical response.”

Some Republicans, however, predicted Tuesday the move would fail to quell the controversy. “There will be a fight,” said Rep. Steve Gunderson (R-Wis.).

The NEA has been embroiled in emotional debate over federal funding of the arts and freedom of expression since June, 1989, because of grants awarded for an exhibit of Robert Mapplethorpe photographs depicting homoerotic images and an exhibit that included an Andres Serrano photograph of a crucifix submerged in urine. Congress affixed restrictions on “obscene” art to the NEA fiscal 1990 appropriation, drawing protests from several major institutions and a lawsuit over the constitutionality of the language.

Frohnmayer expressed hope Tuesday that the Administration would win congressional backing for this latest move. “This is an attempt to unify support on . . . (Capitol) Hill and I would certainly hope that the Republicans at least would listen to leadership from the White House,” he said.