Controversy Over Federal Funds for Artists
How could you present Bogin’s piece in support of public financing of the arts under the heading “Perspective on Free Speech”? That should read “Perspective on Subsidized Speech.” Is it now the consensus that people are not at liberty to express themselves unless taxpayers are coerced to pick up the tab?
The National Endowment for the Arts isn’t “public financing of the arts”; it’s a well-connected art mafia with 170 million tax dollars to spread around. Of course the endowment is a political creature!
In contrast, books, movies and music are publicly financed. In these media, members of the public willingly part with their earnings to support the artists of their choice.
If we want independence for the arts, we should get art financing out of the government and into the marketplace.
ROBERT NATTEALLI
Goleta
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