“Art is the lie that enables us to realise the truth”, as quoted from Pablo Picasso, the world-renowned artist. This quote represents how art allows and provides us with a perspective to look at the world. Art is a body of the Arts, which is the creative and imaginative embodiment of the distinctive disciplines, be it artwork or architectural designs, brings about both pros and cons. In Singapore, being an economically driven country would rather spend a larger portion of its public funds towards businesses and enterprising which is deemed more profitable towards the economy due to its practicality. However, I agree that there should be public funding for arts as it can attract tourists to boost the economy, allow the freedom of subject choices to groom local talents and to allow Singaporeans to return to their roots.
Some may argue that the Arts is largely only for the rich and spending public money on events would only affect the rich. This is largely a waste of public resources as in Singapore, public funds are supposed to help and push for further growth in Singapore, alongside with those who are less well to do. For example, the Affordable Art Fair and Arts Place are government-funded events to allow local and foreign artists to sell their works. Even though it is named the Affordable Art Fair, the lowest price of an art piece sold is nearly $8000, which in no way is affordable to any commoner around. This means that money spent may not have any returns to the government and only the wealthier are able to participate in such events. This also means that in fact, the less fortunate people do not reap any benefits from the public fund for arts when those funds could have been dedicated towards healthcare subsidies which are necessities for the society. However, this may not be fully true as with such events held locally, Singapore has gained placing in the Arts industry, allowing for the generation of more government revenue to tackle bread and butter issues with greater abilities.
Public money should be used towards supporting the Arts as it would attract tourists, allowing for greater tourist expenditure and thus greater revenue. For example, with the recent Night Festival event, where different types of art installations and performances were staged, it has attracted crowds of tourists to visit and enjoy the vibrant festival. This means that due to such unique events held in Singapore, it would attract tourists from all around the globe to grab a glimpse of the events. This is even more so as it is free to the public. Singapore, being an economy which gross domestic product is largely dependent on tourism of nearly twenty per cent, would reap the benefits of greater tourist expenditure. This would mean to say with such returns, the public funds are not wasted in a sense that it would attract tourists to generate more funds to help the needy.
Next, public funds are not considered to be wasted in terms of expenditure on Arts education in Singapore. This means that with expenditure on Art education in Singapore, students are exposed to a totally different disciplinary in such a heavily scientific education in Singapore. For example, with government-funded art institutions like Lasalle and Nanyang Academy of the Fine Arts, students who are interested in the field of the Arts are given the opportunity to take up Art education if they are keen to. Additionally, with Arts play in place in Secondary School, compulsory subjects like Combined Humanities act as an introduction to students about a disciplinary in the field. This would allow the students to be groomed to have alternative thinking and allow students who are less scientifically inclined to succeed and prosper in this largely scientific educational system. This means that with the expenditure of such public funds, students’ potential in the arts are fully utilised and maximised, allowing students to dwell into their potential and achieve, allowing everyone to be stretched and groomed to their fullest potential. This could not have been possible without such avenues and such talents may go to waste in the long run. Thus, public funds should be utilised in the Arts to allow people to discover their potential and prosper to contribute to society.
Lastly, public money should be used towards supporting the Arts as it would allow us to return us to our roots. This means that the arts in every individual’s culture in Singapore would give descendants a better understanding of one’s race. For example, in Singapore, distinct places of cultural background like Chinatown and Little India, have funds allocated in presenting important and distinct characteristic like architectural designs and religious places of worship that bring individuals back to their roots. This is additionally important for Singaporeans as being the social quilt, where there is a large diversity of races and religions in Singapore, it is important for citizens to return to their roots to have and know their placing in life. Thus, the Arts expenditure in terms of presenting cultural evidence would be largely beneficial to allow citizens to return to their roots of origin in terms of value and faith.
All in all, even though public funds could have been directed towards necessities like healthcare or education, the Arts should be funded in the case of Singapore where most of our bread and butter issues have been settled and where the Arts industry would generate benefits too. Additionally, the investment in the arts may be a sine qua non to my society’s status, bringing my society towards greater heights.