It should not be what any individual prefers any day. This is about artists expressing themselves and the chilling effect Congessional approval has on art. If I'm not mistaken, it really does come down to what a select group of individuals prefer. Someone has to decide which artists should receive taxpayers' money and I would find it impossible to believe that these decisions are completely arbitrary or based entirely upon financial need.
Personal opinion has to come into play at some point.
Your right, artists should have complete freedom to express themselves however they like, but not on my dime. When the US collective is paying, you'd better believe that prevailing social mores will play a part in a decision to fund a controversial artist. It should not be what any individual prefers any day. This is about artists expressing themselves and the chilling effect Congessional approval has on art. Someone has to decide which artists should receive taxpayers' money and I would find it impossible to believe that these decisions are completely arbitrary or based entirely upon financial need.