A crying shame

[Wulf Ratbane]

I'll be happy when public funding for the arts finally dies in this country. I'll be thrilled if it does so quietly (I'll also be shocked).

I believe the quality of the arts would be served by that turn of events.

 

[Mark]

I believe the quality of the arts would be served by that turn of events.

I'm not sure why you believe that but I doubt the origin of any funding increases or decreases the quality of art produced. Privately funded art can be just as bad or good as publically funded art. The sociological question, which has political ramifications, is if society and/or government in an enlightened and/or civilized state has a mandate or responsibility to support the arts through funding. I, personally, don't have an opinion, and wouldn't express it here if I did.

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

I'm not sure why you believe that but I doubt the origin of any funding increases or decreases the quality of art produced.

Origin, no. Availability, yes.

The sociological question, which has political ramifications, is if society and/or government in an enlightened and/or civilized state has a mandate or responsibility to support the arts through funding. I, personally, don't have an opinion, and wouldn't express it here if I did.

Let me see if I can play, too:

The sociological question, which has political ramifications, is if society and/or government should be ceded the right or responsibility to seize and redistribute private funds in order to advance a governmental definition of art, thereby elevating the value of art over the value of personal liberty. I, personally, don't have an opinion, and wouldn't express it here if I did.

 

[der_kluge]

As much as I hate to see the lack of classical music stations, or the downfall of said stations, the Libertarian in me decries the use of public funds to support things that the public wouldn't support on their own.

If a station can't produce interesting, good classical music, in a format that is appealing, and interesting enough to generate enough advertising dollars, then it really has no business to exist. As much as I love classical music, even I wouldn't argue for spending tax dollars to support one musical format over a different musical format. I mean, if KRAP - a 24 hour rap station were faltering, and couldn't afford to pay their bills, would you expect a gov't handout? I think not.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

I happen to like a lot of the public broadcasting programming, both TV and radio, but I am lucky to have two radio stations here in Boston. WGBH does some news and talk, but mostly music; classical, jazz and others. I am no afficianado (sp?) but I like a lot of what they play. WBUR is an all news/talk station - it can get to be too much, but it is nice to have when you want it. We have one commercial classical station, but they seem to not play longer pieces, probably because they need to get commercials in.

Won't get into the whole arts funding issue, I think there are probably both good and bad aspects to it.

 

[WayneLigon]

The situation is that like so many other institutions, new enterprises, NAMELY satellite radio, is killing it off.

I'm thinking that satellite radio will probably be The Next Big Thing, or at least I hope it will. I'm thinking about looking into myself, soon.

Public funding for the arts, though, is something I think is needed. Art is one of those things that people need whether or not 'the public' or 'the market' thinks so. I like to think that by keeping it publicly available everywhere, such music might touch and inspire a person that might otherwise never hear it.

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

Art is one of those things that people need whether or not 'the public' or 'the market' thinks so.

And I think I need a Chili Cheese Burrito.

Would it be ok if I take the money right out of your wallet and go get one?

 

[Henry]

I think I've probably let this thread run too long as it is. It's hard for a discussion on publically-funded arts programs NOT to jump to a discussion of taxation and from there to political ramifications.

Sorry, ladies and gents.