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Free Expression in Arts Funding: A Public Policy
Report First printing © 2003.
The result of almost two years of research, FEPP's report surveys free
expression policies among state and local arts agencies, including procedures
for anticipating and handling controversy. Its purpose is to provide the
arts community, as well as others interested in censorship or cultural
policy, with solid research that will enable grant-making agencies to
take a principled stand on artistic freedom without alienating their audiences
or losing their funding.
The report includes candid interviews with agency officials regarding
funding disputes, political accountability, and most important, ways of
reaching out to communities and opening up dialogue about challenging
or provocative art. The report also contains extensive background on the
"funding wars" of the 1990s, illustrations, and two appendices
summarizing free expression statements and policies among all state arts
agencies and a random sample of local agencies.
As the Executive Summary points out, despite America's recent history
of attacks on controversial art,
artistic freedom in the context of public funding remains a critical
issue. The ability to make challenging art that can explore all facets
of the human condition, including unpleasant ones, is essential to a
vibrant culture and a healthy democracy. Neither private philanthropy
nor the mass media conglomerates that dominate commercial entertainment
can be counted upon to support the give-and-take of diverse viewpoints,
reflected through literature, theater, music, film, and other visual
art, or to provide visibility for the multi-layered, varied, and inventive
cultures of America.
For the complete report (but without appendices) in html, click
here.
For the complete report in pdf, click here.
Note: Some computers have trouble opening large PDF
files. If this happens, you can right-click, then highlight "save
link as" and download the PDF to a folder on your computer.
For a printed copy (or bulk copies), email margeheins@verizon.net
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