A large number of nations in the world have observed a common approach that their governments allocate a massive amount of financial resources on the arts. Some individuals claim that this approach is beneficial and they endorse it, while others suggest that healthcare and education should be the areas where the governments put more resources into. Although both schools of thought hold merit, I think that a balance between them would yield the best outcomes possible.
On the one hand, there are some reasons that explain why healthcare and education should be above the arts on the priority list of government investment. Nowadays, it is common around the world to observe that hospitals and healthcare facilities are running out of capacities due to the increasing number of health issues and their complexity. Without sufficient resources, it is estimated that individuals would have their health problems addressed in the near future. Also, inequality and inaccessibility to education are still a pervasive issue that leads to poverty in developing countries. Thus, prioritizing education along with healthcare should be considered as highly essential in most countries around the world.
On the one hand, the beneficial implications of arts can not be ignored as arts can unify people and foster creativity. In a society where many foundational aspects, such as healthcare and education, have already developed optimally, citizens would demand more for their mental and psychological health. As arts can increase creativity and foster a sense of community, investing in building museums, constructing sculptures, or creating paintings would increase social interactions and help people expand their imagination. These aspects would further enhance people’s quality of living, adding to another dimension for the experience of being a human.
In conclusion, although there are mixed opinions on determining whether investing in the arts or healthcare and education should be the main focus of the government, I believe that striking a balance between all these objectives is the optimal approach. While education and healthcare are fundamental aspects of a stable society, the arts can help enrich the living experiences of humans and thus lead to a higher quality of life.