A controversial issue that often divides opinion is the investment of the national budget to art. While some individuals think that all people working in the field of arts should receive financial assistance from the government, others think that this is not necessary. This essay will discuss both views before presenting my opinion.
On the one hand, there are several reasons why the authorities should spend funds on all kinds of artists. Firstly, funding the arts can preserve and promote cultural and spiritual values. Artwork plays an important role in offering people in-depth knowledge about our country’s traditions; consequently, investing in it can help maintain and develop cultural identity, creating a cohesive and culturally rich community. For example, Dong Ho painting, which is a type of traditional Vietnamese folk painting, helps the audience gain valuable insights into the cultural life of Vietnamese people through many generations. Furthermore, money invested in artists also has benefits for the tourism industry. This is because artwork can attract a lot of foreign tourists, thereby not only promoting the development of the tourism industry, but also helping local people earn a substantial income from tourist spending, which contributes to the local economy.
On the other hand, I would side with those who think that providing assistance to artists is a waste of money. One disadvantage is that the arts do not provide direct benefit for citizens. Art is a form of recreational activity that mainly brings spiritual value to individuals, but does not make a significant contribution to enhance the overall quality life of citizens. Therefore, the government should focus more on improving infrastructure across various fields such as education, health or national security to help citizens have opportunities to access essential services and improve their quality of life. Another negative effect is that investing money in all kinds of artists can create a financial burden for the country, especially poor or developing countries. Offering assistance financially for most artists often requires a large financial resources, thus the government does not have enough national budget for investing in other more important fields. As a result, this has a negative impact on the sustainable development of the country.
In conclusion, while the arts are essential for protecting heritage conservation and boosting the tourism industry, I believe that the authorities’ fund should prioritize more essential services.