Statement of Artistic Freedom in Government-Supported Spaces
The government of Illinois recognizes that freedom in the creation and presentation of works in the visual and performing arts, by ensuring greater opportunity for the imaginative exploration and expression of diverse ideas and values, best serves the public and the community.
If works of art succeed in reflecting the rich, pluralistic fabric of ideas, beliefs and experiences that mark American society, they will sometimes challenge and perhaps even offend certain groups.
Publicly funded institutions provide artistic performances and exhibits to encourage artistic creativity, expression, learning, and appreciation.Public funding does not mean that government endorses the views or attitudes expressed in specific artistic works. Therefore it does not diminish (and indeed may heighten) First Amendment protection of controversial speech.
Government imposition on artistic expression of a test of propriety, ideology, or religion is an act of censorship, which impermissibly denies the freedom of the artist to explore, communicate and critique and the freedom of the public to see, hear and discuss.