Some people believe that government funding of the arts is necessary to ensure that the arts can flourish and be available to all people. Others believe that government funding of the arts threatens the integrity of the arts.

Write a response in which you discuss which view more closely aligns with your own position and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should address both of the views presented.

While everyone has his or her own personal views on the value of government funding for the arts, I think that it is clear that funding the arts should not come at the expense of other funding priorities

First, as has been pointed out, public funding of the arts threatens to diminish the value of art. The work of the artists will be devalued in the eyes of the public, and that damage will ripple outward as fewer individuals will be willing to pay to see art. This, in turn, will force more artists to seek work in other professions, and that will create a greater divide between the haves and have-nots in the arts community

This argument overlooks the fact that art, in any medium, is invariably a part of a person’s character and is integral to the development of his or her personality. The arts provide a creative outlet for self-expression, which allows for people to express themselves freely and in a unique manner. The arts give individuals a sense of accomplishment and, in turn, give society a more complete and well-rounded individual. The arts also foster social integration, as artists often find that they are not limited by their disabilities or physical limitations. People with disabilities have found that they are able to hone their skills in the arts, giving them an outlet to express themselves as well as making their lives easier. So, while government funding of the arts may be detrimental to the arts themselves, it will benefit society as a whole by ensuring that people with disabilities are able to pursue their passions

In addition to the above, funding the arts threatens the purity of the arts. While it is true that government funding of money-losing arts organizations could lead to the defunding of higher-profile organizations, this will also lead to the destruction of artistic integrity. Art, by nature, is subjective, and public funding will inevitably lead to commercialism. With the television industry struggling to find a profitable product, programs will be funded based on how much money can be spent on advertising. It will be impossible to distinguish government-funded art from commercial art, and the public will not be able to discern between the creative works of artists and paid advertisements. This will lead to more instances of celebrities using the arts as a mere form of self-promotion, further corrupting the integrity of the arts. In recent years, we have seen many actors, musicians, and writers using the arts as a vehicle for personal gain, and such practices permeate all levels of the arts. Art is, by nature, an artistic expression, and any attempts at commercialism or profiteering will destroy that concept

Public funding of the arts, then, is best avoided. It could lead to the dilution of artistic integrity as well as to the devaluation of the arts.

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