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possibilities for humankind, solutions to problems, and the improvement
of human life.
On the other hand, suppression of ideas and of artistic expression
leads to conformity, the limiting of diversity of expression to a narrow

range of "acceptable" forms, and the stifling of freedom.
As art educators in a free society, we confirm the following:

 Freedom of expression in the arts must be preserved.
 The individual has the right to accept or reject any work of art for
himself or herself personally, but does not have the right to
suppress those works of art to which he or she may object or those

artists with whom he or she does not agree. The free individual and
the free society do not need a censor to tell what should be
acceptable or unacceptable, and should not tolerate such

censorship. All censorship is contrary to democratic principles.
 It is the duty of the art educator to confront students with a
diversity of art experiences and to enable students to think

critically. The art educator need not like or endorse all images,
ideologies, and artists he or she makes available to students, but
should allow the individual student to choose from among widely

conflicting images, opinions, and ideologies. While some works of
art may indeed be banal and trivial, and some works may be
repugnant and unacceptable to some individuals, the art educator
should insist upon the right of every individual to freely express

and create in his or her own way and to experience, accept, or
reject any particular work of art.

 The art educator should impress upon students the vital importance
of freedom of expression as a basic premise in the free democratic
society and urge students to guard against any efforts to limit or
curtail that freedom.

ASSIGNMENTS
1. Why is the freedom to create and to experience works of art under

attack at present?
2. Do you agree with the statement that censorship is needed in order to
avoid the subversion of politics and the corruption of morals?
3. What does the freedom of speech include? Analyze the definitions

below.