The government spends about $220 million a year supporting museums and galleries in the UK and a similar amount subsidizing the visual and performing arts. This is a huge sum to spend on minority interests, and the money would be better spent on more important things. It should be up to the people who enjoy cultural attractions to pay for them. To what extent do you agree or disagree? - ielts Essay

The government spends about $220 million a year supporting museums and galleries in the  UK and a similar amount subsidizing the visual and performing arts. This is a huge sum to spend on minority interests, and the money would be better spent on more important things. It should be up to the people who enjoy cultural attractions to pay for them. To what extent do you agree or disagree?  

With British government allocating substantial money to assist various activities connected to art and culture, critics and advocates of this move have been at poles. The sceptics, quote that finances for such an activity must be sourced from private individuals and admirers, while the supporters feel this allocation is important.

Museums and galleries are fascinating and true communicators of the past of a civilization, as they store genuine artefacts, manuscripts and work of thinkers, etc., of diverse eras of past; and provide visitors a thorough first hand interactive experience, which would be remembered for a long time to come in the future. But these establishments require huge a financial outlay and long term planning, which can be taken care of effectively as a collective responsibility, and government, being the head of the social and political set-up in a country, can only shoulder this responsibility, and render whatever assistance, including financial, possible.

Similarly, performing arts of all kinds are manifestations of wisdom, ethics and ways of life of a community and a nation, that have evolved over the centuries. Preserving and proliferating, can be a stupendous and expensive task that may involve a colossal harmonizing effort on part of the society – that sans any bias towards any particular form of art, and is affordable for common citizens. This can be effectively achieved with help of subsidy and government intervention.

The detractors, however, vehemently defend their view by lobbying that the valuable money of tax-payers should not be channelized into a realm that has few enthusiasts. The money, instead, could be used into more critical areas, like upgrading infrastructure; improving facilities, offered to the citizens, and revitalizing the economy.

I personally feel that government must always take care of social endeavours that involve preserving art and culture.