Isn't it possible that underneath the guise of helping, government grants and intervention are really hurting the museum world? If museums had to play the same game as every other business, they'd think twice about collecting things they will never exhibit, implementing controversial and unpopular interpretations, and hiring unnecessary bureaucratic staff. We should expose museums to the free market, because then, people would pay for the products they value, and museums that are out of touch with their patrons would shrivel up--this would ensure greater transparency.
This can't happen, however, unless general taxes are lower. If the rich had more money in their pockets, they'd donate more to cultural institutions, and I think the American museum/cultural scene would be stronger for it. People tend to be more careful with their own money, and the government is no exception. So let people spend their own money on cultural institutions, and see what happens!
The premise is good but how do you know that the rich would give to cultural institutions. im not saying that i know they wouldnt, just wondering why your so confident that they would, evidence? let talk alot over thanksgiving break?
ReplyDeleteGlad to read your blog,
Andy
oh, btw, Government Funding is poopy. very poopy
ReplyDeletecool, thanks for reading. There are lots of reasons I think that, but the main one is simply giving stats, which I'll get out there in a later post once I have some research time. More importantly, though, I think there need to be some really lean, difficult times for museums and archives, in order to create a different kind of mindset that doesn't rely on what is essentially a handout extracted non-voluntarily from taxpayers. Maybe we could create a situation where we get to pick what cultural institutions our money goes to?
ReplyDeleteand yes, I want to hang out and talk a bunch over T-giving break, if you have the time.
ReplyDeleteTed, if I understand you right, I agree with you... much better to have general taxes be lower--leaving more of their own money in peoples' pockets (rich and poor alike) and thus giving them space to support the arts they care about--than to have said arts rely on government handouts.
ReplyDelete