1. Government funding for the arts
Funding in the U.S. & Europe: some figures
The United States
President John Kennedy was the first president to propose governmental funding for the arts.
Congress during the Johnson administration allocated $50,000 for the arts
Government funding of the arts ~ slide 1

2. Government funding for the arts
the National Endowment for the Arts established; Congress allocates $2.4 million
$15.1 m
$82 m
$154 m
$139 m - under Reagan
$174 m
$174 m
Government funding of the arts ~ slide 2

3. Government funding for the arts$
Comments
The NEA provides matching grants to states and local arts agencies
Most of the money goes to symphony orchestras, opera, dance, and theater companies
Government funding of the arts ~ slide 3

4. Government funding of the arts ~ slide 4

5. Government funding for the arts
Europe
Germany - $27 per person
France - $32 per person
Canada - $3 per person
U.S. - $.68 per person in 1994
Government funding of the arts ~ slide 5

6. Government funding for the arts
Reasons given for no government funding
Government funding is a luxury. We cannot afford it.
The government should not be in the arts business; it is not the function of government to support the arts.
Minimalist view of government
The arts are a hotbed of moral depravity
Government funding of the arts ~ slide 6

7. Government funding for the arts
Edward Martinson’s argument for government funding (“Public Support: A Contract with the Arts,” Between Acts Winter )
Offers 3 reasons
1. The elevation of American culture
2. The democratization of the arts
The availability of the arts in all regions of the country
Government funding of the arts ~ slide 7

8. Government funding for the arts
3. The affordability of the arts
There is a tacit social contract between artists and the public
The public through the government gives financial support to artists & receives cultural enhancement, de-centralized availability, & absence of price-barriers.
Government funding of the arts ~ slide 8

9. Government funding for the arts
What does the artist give? His work? Enhancement of culture? The artist receives money and freedom.
Government funding of the arts ~ slide 9