Neocon,
RE: Yeah, the last season of the Met was SRO because of all of
> >>the homeboys who snagged great subscriptions. The National Gallery
>>> (which is totally free) is just teeming with rednecks from
>>> Manassass trembling with delight at the opportunity to get culture.
LOL! God I would love to see that!!
>>>Most of these things are subsidies for the upper- middle class, who are the primary beneficiaries.
Can't agree with you there. It is just that they tend to have the background (read education) to appreciate it a bit. Ticket prices are too high. Why do you think? Too many Michael Jordan violists signing with those huge bonuses. If only the orchestra members had to wear numbers. Heh, maybe I am on to something..."hey man, tha clarinetist missed his entrance...ten yards"
I have practically made a career of making sure everyone has an opportunity to experience art. I hate the whole elitest perception thing, so I do agree with you to some extent, just not with what causes it.
RE: Even most of my educated friends know next to nothing about
>>>art. Museums are something you do when the relatives are in town.
Well, I kinda find that sad. But it also depends on what you call educated, I suppose.
RE: The question is,why the NEA? Especially when so many of the arts organizations that benefit are in fact in the major cities, rather than spreading culture throughout the land.
Actually the minor cities would have next to no chances and the major cities would be the only place you could hear Mahler, for example. Indeed, this is a reason why you complain of high prices. There just isn't enough funding to pull off big events without it. If not for grants, a majority of orchestras (I don't know about museums specifically) would close there doors. But hey, again I agree...public money should be spread throughout the land fairly.
Perhaps if kids were taught at an early age the value of the artistic mind and what it has produced throughout history we wouldn't need 'museums' for music or anything else, not to mention Government programs.
Thanks,
B. |
