spending money on art

I definitely agree that the government is wasting public money on art when there are much more important things to spend money on, such as improving medical and educational services. Art is an indulgence for a few developed countries. Most other countries have other priorities.

I read on a reputable website that the nutrition in some areas is so poor that many babies do not survive past the first year and that life expectancy is less than 50 years. I feel terrible when I read these reports, and my heart goes out to these people. I spent a month doing volunteer work in a remote village last summer holiday and I saw these conditions with my own eyes.

I ask, “What should our priorities be?” Surely, living people are higher priority than inanimate statues. It seems to me that the government cares more about appearances, having cities look impressive, than the lives of people. The money that is spent on public art projects should be stopped and diverted to humanitarian projects, education, agriculture, etc.

Some people will assert that art is important in society, and I agree it is. There will always be artists. My argument is that in a developing country, we have to pay attention to the basics first. The issue here is whether public money should be spent on art, and I do not think it should, not when people are living (and dying) in poor conditions.

For the reasons I have outlined, I believe that the government has a responsibility to provide the basic needs of people before it finances decorative art projects. (267 words)