A school of thought suggests that government funding is being wasted on the arts, and that taxpayers’ money could be better allocated to other areas of society. I completely disagree with this perspective, as art is the cornerstone of a country’s culture, and a remarkable tourist attraction.
First and foremost, countries in the world hold different traditional and cultural beliefs and values which are expressed through art. A painting, a song, or a poem can tell meaningful stories about the way of life and the attitude of a population. Therefore, by spending money on the arts, a country fosters its cultural heritage, and spreads their beliefs and ways of life to other countries. A prime example is Kpop, an extremely popular style of music in Korea. With its increasing prevalence around the world, Kpop paints a mesmerizing picture of the Korean traditions and lifestyle, establishing its cultural standing among global audiences.
Secondly, funding the arts should be viewed as an investment rather than a waste of resources, as art plays a crucial role in national tourism. Across the globe, tourists travel to various destinations in search of valuable art works. As a result, a country which possesses significant artistic values often generates high revenue from tourism. An exemplary case in the purchase of the Mona Lisa painting by King Francesco. To this day, France is still greatly benefiting from this transaction, as the legendary painting, which is now kept in Louvre Museum in Paris, attracts millions of visitors every year to the city.
In conclusion, while many believe the money governments allocate to the arts is a waste and could be better spent in different ways, I am convinced that the opposite is true. Funding the arts does not only create a vessel through which a nation expresses its cultural identity, but also is a lucrative investment in tourism.