Are Federal Arts Programs Worth the Money?

On Thursday, I wrote about philanthropy, which is how, mostly, we in America finance high culture. Americans are the most generous people in the world, with money we give in the many billions to support museums, theaters, symphonies, and dance and opera companies. The money’s tax-exempt, which helps keep high culture, by and large, free from the stagnation that comes with government largesse and control. Then there are the three federal agencies that support the arts. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Together they spend a bit under a billion dollars — less than 1 percent of arts spending. Do they have much of an impact? Yes and no.

I’ve followed the NEA’s grants to museums and exhibitions for years. The program is lame, and it gets lamer and lamer. A few years ago, before I started writing for NR, I was appointed to serve on an NEA selection panel. It was an eye-opener, and an eye-roller.

About the Author

Brian T. Allen

Brian T. Allen is National Review’s art critic.

On Thursday, I wrote about philanthropy, which is how, mostly, we in America finance high culture. Americans are the most generous people in the world, with money we give in the many billions to support museums, theaters, symphonies, and dance and opera companies. The money’s tax-exempt, which helps keep high culture, by and large, free from the stagnation that comes with government largesse and control. Then there are the three federal agencies that support the arts. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Together they spend a bit under a billion dollars — less than 1 percent of arts spending. Do they have much of an impact? Yes and no.

I’ve followed the NEA’s grants to museums and exhibitions for years. The program is lame, and it gets lamer and lamer. A few years ago, before I started writing for NR, I was appointed to serve on an NEA selection panel. It was an eye-opener, and an eye-roller.