Charles Krauthammer

Public funds should not be used to subsidize shocking and offensive art, contends syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer in the following viewpoint. It is wrong to force taxpayers to support art that insults most people’s sensibilities, he maintains. Moreover, those opposed to funding offensive art are not arguing for censorship. No one is demanding that vulgar art be banned or destoyed—the contention is that artists should not be entitled to government funding if they display offensive material.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What are some of the images included in the “Sensation” exhibition, according to Krauthammer?
2. In the author’s opinion, in what way have the avantgarde been engaging in “cultural blackmail”?
3. How has the role of the artist changed in the last century and...