Roanoke Times Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc. DATE: THURSDAY, March 22, 1990 TAG: 9003221837 SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO SOURCE: Associated Press DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Short
Controversy over whether to restrict content of federally financed art received extensive publicity last year because of two photographic exhibits supported by the National Endowment for the Arts. One included depictions of sadomasochism and homoerotic acts. Another included a photo of a crucifix in a jar of urine.
This year's spending bill contained restrictions, good for just one year, inspired by Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C., on financing works defined as obscene within limits set by the Supreme Court.
In submitting legislation Wednesday to extend the arts endowment five years starting Oct. 1, the administration chose not to extend restrictions.
John Frohnmayer, chairman of the endowment, told the House Education and Labor subcommittee on post-secondary education that the restrictions caused "much concern and confusion" in the arts community. "It is our conclusion that the legislation proposed here which contains no content restrictions . . . will best serve the American public," he said.
by CNB