Why Support the Arts in These Times of Crisis?

Putting money into art and culture organizations, in the face of this global pandemic may seem completely irrational. In fact, we have received some negative comments regarding the small percentage of government funding that is part of the CARES act- the government emergency funding package. 

At first glance, of course. How could anyone disagree with putting all our financial resources towards saving  lives? In the face of life or death to hundreds of thousands of Americans, and the very fabric of our society, why would we worry about funding for the NEA, Smithsonian Institute or other arts and culture institutions?

The greatest answer isn't the fact that the arts contribute over $700 billion to the U.S. economy. Or, that it employs 4.9 million workers across the country.
According to The Art Newspaper(2020), The most valuable reason to protect the arts and culture industry, in this time, is their role as "chroniclers of our capacity to overcome...To lose them, at a moment when so much is on the line, is a uniquely terrible thing." 

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