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.
