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NEa
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Since the early nineties, a debate in Congress over the situation of the National Endowment of the Arts funding has been raging. Opinions on both sides of the argument have been passionate and hotly debated. The issues have divided conservatives and liberals as well as the religious and the secular. This issue is of great importance to the general public because millions of taxpayer’s dollars are at stake in the debate. The argument is also significant because it questions the values and ethics in society as well. What may be passionate art to one individual may be considered offensive and perhaps disgraceful to another. Traditionalists believe that the government funding of art programs is inappropriate and promotes artistic expression in much too vulgar ways. On the other hand, culturalists believe that through government funding, Americans will learn ways of expressing their ideas through artistic excellence, thus preserving and enhancing our nation's diverse cultural heritage. The argument on the government funding of the National Endowment of the Arts is brewing with compelling ideas and beliefs. Can the government set standards to filter what art it will financially support? I support all artists that have a quest to express their views, opinions, and beliefs. However, I do not believe that a taxpayer’s hard earned money should go towards funding art. Government funding for the arts must be reduced or eliminated. The NEA was created to keep traditional art form alive. The Endowment was created by Congress and established in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. In its 37 years of existence the NEA has funded about 30,000 projects. Famous Hollywood star Alec Baldwin has led a campaign in America to fight to preserve federal funding and advocate the goals of the NEA. The supporters of Baldwin’s campaign feel that the government should continue the lead to assure that the American people and their children will maintain “cultural intelligence, heightened sensitivity, and our deepened collective sense of humanity.” They also claim that federal funding “disseminates culture throughout the country.” As the managing director of Baltimore's Center Stage put it, "Art has power.
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