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Question:

Should the government be involved in financially supporting the arts?

Should private citizens and private groups do it? Or should art have to submit to the capitalist/consumer system we pay for what we want and let the rest die out? What is the best way to support the arts and why?


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Nearly every developed country in the world has government sponsored arts programs, although the US falls pretty short per capita. The argument generally is that the arts are a public good, like libraries and parks, and should therefore be supported for the uplift of the people. Ticket sales and donations only account for a portion of arts funding, and government funding occasionally comes in handy. Also consider that corporations and private individuals take their contributions to the arts as tax deductions--a roundabout way that government supports the arts, but I'd argue that it still counts. Without government funding, the arts would survive on a smaller scale, but they would live. But consider also that sports teams and even popular concerts are government supported--stadiums and arenas are built through government bond issues, not private funds. Without government support, we the consumer will bear the extra costs.