In a myriad of nations in the world, some individuals claim that their governments should allocate more resources to necessary areas than art, including painting and music, because they do not directly enhance their quality of life. Although this school of thought holds merit, I believe that striking a balance between both of them would yield the best outcomes possible.
On the one hand, there are some reasons that explain why essential areas like healthcare and education should be above the arts on the priority list of governmental investment. Nowadays, it is common around the world to observe that hospitals and healthcare facilities are running out of capacity due to the increasing number of health issues and their complexity. Without sufficient resources, it is estimated that many individuals would not have their health problems addressed in the near future. Also, inequality and inaccessibility to education are still pervasive issues that lead to poverty in developing countries. Thus, prioritizing education along with healthcare should be considered highly essential in most countries around the world.
On the other hand, the beneficial implications of the arts cannot be ignored, as the arts can unify people and foster creativity. In developed countries, their healthcare and education systems have already developed optimally, and their citizens would want more values in their lives. In order to achieve this, investing in the arts by building museums or organizing exhibitions could foster a sense of community and help people become more creative. These psychological benefits could enrich the living experiences of humans, elevating their quality of life in a way that other factors cannot.
In conclusion, I believe that striking a balance between all these objectives is the optimal approach. While important aspects like education and healthcare are fundamental to a stable society, the arts can help enrich the living experiences of humans and thus lead to a higher quality of life.