Artistic Freedom and Government Subsidy: Performing Arts Institutions in the United States and West Germany

This Note examines the role of the government in securing and maintaining artistic freedom in the performing arts institutions of West Germany and of the United States. The primary basis for comparison is the ability of the artistic directors of performing arts institutions to program the works they desire. The author focuses on the various advantages and disadvantages of the direct subsidy approach implemented in West Germany as opposed to the emphasis on indirect government support found in the United States. Finally, the author concludes that direct and open government support of the performing arts, such as in West Germany, is a more viable solution from the standpoint of artistic freedom than indirect support through tax laws, such as in this country