Recently, the topic of providing essential funds to museums and art galleries has sparked heated debate. Some people advocate that these places are no longer necessary as people can quickly view ancient artifacts and masterpieces via Internet. From my perspective, I disapprove this notion since there are many facts indicating that maintaining these spots is still beneficial for both cities and citizens.
Admittedly, there are certain advantages on adopting electronic devices to explore historical heritage. The internet offers a swift and convenient platform where people can gain a deep insight into a variety of traditional cultures, artworks ,and any other art forms by browsing their screens at home. This way significantly saves the individual’s cost of time and financial expense. In addition, people who hold this opinion also believe the government should invest aspects which can directly improve populace’s life quality. For instance, the government can invest more in education, medical welfare, which should be prioritized for improving citizens’ well-being. By contrast, the museums and galleries seem to be less important for providing substantial improvement for people’s daily life, which is why they can be replaced by online tools.
Nevertheless, I believe that this opinion is superficial as these places still play an essential role in offering benefits in a long term. Many well-known museums are tourist attractions which offer tremendous profits to the local government. For example, the Getty Museum attracts many visitors to explore its oil paintings and sculptures. It not only offers employment opportunities for locals but also boost tourism, which creates more revenue for the government. Furthermore, many museums represent the city’s cultural image. Residents can feel a sense of belonging and proud from cultural richness contained in these places. As a result, the cultural value is irreplaceable by electronic devices.
To sum up, although it is more convenient and budget-friendly to view historical objects and masterpieces on computers, it does not mean the museums and galleries are no longer necessary. They are still conducive to offering income and reinforcing a stronger cultural image.