Art has served an important role since ages. However, many feel that the government should not fund this, in order to support a minority interest. Do you agree or disagree?
A school of thought is quite critical about state augmenting art, in all its manifestations, monetarily because it fails to appeal to a large part of demographics; thus, it must stop. However, I fail to subscribe to this notion, and favour continuation of such support.
Those skeptical of this policy found their argument on the belief that the works of art only tend to interest the elite, whereas the majority find themselves struggling to make their ends meet, and hence, have little time for such luxuries. Moreover, there are several areas like education, food, and health, among others, that need urgent attention. Therefore, in the wake of such circumstances, it is quite warranted to halt such extravagance.
On the contrary, this perception would be consequential if it were true; artistic expression, in the form of music, poetry, and so forth, has always had a dominating influence on the human psyche. Where on one hand, it has rendered a medium for entertainment, rejuvenation and unwinding, besides exhibiting emotions. On the other hand, it is a potent tool of stimulating creativity, which is extensively used to foster resourcefulness even among doctors, engineers and researchers, to name a few.
Similarly, this is the only carrier that has always helped one generation to transmit the knowledge of traditions, customs and rituals, to their successors, thereby perpetuating culture, and guaranteeing its survival. To corroborate, literature, drama, songs, and poems act as huge repositories of cultural heritage, and connect communities with their ancestors effectively, and let them educate their progeny about their past.
In hindsight, the objections raised by the detractors of the art should be overlooked, and policy-makers must lay every possible assistance at the disposal of all art domains, for these help mankind overcome challenges and protect ancestral knowledge.