With Donald Trump having announced that he will push for Congress to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts, there have been quite a number of editorials in American newspapers and news magazines on this subject, both in favor of retaining the NEA, as well as those who believe its demise does not represent a tragic chapter in this nation’s history.

With this in mind, here are two opposing viewpoints on the subject. Out of all I have read during the past month, these represent what I believe to be the best arguments for each side.

Thomas P. Campbell is the director and chief executive of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He writes in favor of keeping the NEA.

Jeff Jacoby is a regular columnist for the Boston Globe. He favors abolishing the NEA.