Should governments donate money to fund art? Should corporations?

Question

I've been studying this in my business ethics class. Is it appropriate for the government to donate millions for new art museums when there is undoubtedly other areas that could use the money? Why?

For corporations (publicly traded), they are owned by shareholders and it has been said that they should conduct their business and spend their money to maximize the benefit to shareholders. So is spending money to fund art museums appropriate? Why?

Answer 1

Since you're in business you know that corporations are like individuals.  Governments are too.  Also, you should know how important "image" is. Governments and corporations have to "keep up with the Jones" and have a sophiscated image or no one is going to take them serious. The early years of the US was hard because we were like the country bumpkin compared to Europe yet we had let them know we were world players. Museums show that we are refine and intelligent.  Also, governments want to show off accomplishments of the people. This you do with museums. The Smithsonian Museum is a large collection of many items natural, inventive and art. It's all about image.  Maybe shallow but that's the world we live. (I think that is a song, the world we live).

Answer 2

I believe so. Art is life. People need art to escape harsh realities. It helps us to not go insane when dealing with the current mess our world is in, whether the art is movies, painting, museums or even video games. France's government helps fund even video games, and they're the third largest developers of video games in the world. In America, our government tries to ban them. Go figure.

Answer 3

Yes it is appropriate on both counts.  Governments such as the US are really giving money to fund our own education and show our appreciation of another's work.  I know that may sound funny, but it's about pride.  For companies, funding something like a museum is about more than just helping to provide a public building; it allows for a company to get a good reputation for caring about the community to donate that much money, and it also is a form of advertising that lasts a while - and people who actually care about the museum will be much more likely to return to the company with patronage because the company cared enough to help out this or that museum.  This also goes for things like NPR, PBS and the like.  For instance, I may be more willing to purchase a PC and run a Microsoft program because I hear many times that the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation helps to sponser something on NPR, rather than a Mac. I suppose a better example would be that I would be more willing to use UPS rather than Fedex... same reason though.