Final answer:
The statement is true; performance art has been a source of controversy over NEA funding, due to its boundary-pushing nature and the resulting public debates on art and decency.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that performance art has been at the center of controversy over funding from the National Endowment for the Arts is true. Performance art often pushes the boundaries of traditional aesthetics and can sometimes clash with public notions of decency and proper use of governmental funds. This has indeed led to publicized controversies concerning the NEA's funding decisions and the role of art in society. As a form of expressive culture, performance art has been a medium that frequently intersects with life, raising questions about censorship, societal norms, and the role of art in reflecting or challenging those norms.
Historically, performance art has served to question and often transgress norms within society, leading to various forms of backlash, especially when public funds are involved. It deliberately challenges preconceived notions about what art can or should be, which can lead to heated debates on the national stage. These debates include discussions about the proper scope of government funding for the arts and the importance of freedom of expression in the creation of art.