Opinion: The Arts Are for Everyone—Let’s Keep It That Way
Lauren Wagner, Executive Director
Long Island Arts Alliance
Access to the arts and arts education should be something we can all turn to, not a privilege reserved for a select few. Yet, time and again, we see public investment in arts and culture threatened—dismissed as expendable rather than recognized as essential.
When proposals arise to eliminate arts funding—like the recent attempt to dissolve the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)—it’s not just a budget cut. It’s a direct attack on public access to culture, learning, and the preservation of our collective memory. This isn’t about streamlining government; it’s about severing communities from their own cultural lifeblood.
Museums, libraries, galleries, and arts organizations are more than just institutions; they are the backbone of civic life. They foster connection, deepen understanding, and provide spaces where ideas are exchanged and history is preserved.
And let’s be clear— When funding for these institutions is slashed, the impact is not felt by wealthy patrons who have access to private collections and elite arts education. It is felt by children in underfunded schools, by students seeking inspiration, and by working-class families who rely on these spaces for cultural enrichment, learning, and even refuge. The arts provide more than just entertainment—they offer a sense of belonging, an avenue for self-expression, and a way to process the complexities of the world around us.
The erosion of arts funding is not just an American problem. Across the world, we see a similar pattern: libraries closing due to lack of resources, arts education programs being gutted, and public funding for museums and theaters dwindling. We cannot allow this to continue. If we value access to the arts, if we believe that all voices deserve to be heard, and if we want future generations to experience the transformative power of creativity, then we must act.
This is not just about budgets. It’s about the kind of society we want to live in—one where creativity is nurtured, not stifled; where diverse voices are amplified, not silenced; and where cultural expression is encouraged, not controlled. The systematic erosion of arts funding is not merely a financial decision—it is a decision to limit access to imagination, to restrict opportunities for creative thought, and to diminish the shared experiences that bring people together across differences.
Now more than ever, collaboration and collective advocacy are critical. We must push back against policies that prioritize short-term cost-cutting over long-term cultural enrichment. We need our leaders—at every level of government—to recognize that investment in the arts is an investment in education, in economic growth, and in the well-being of our communities (Local/Long Island & National).
We need arts organizations, educators, and policymakers to work together to strengthen public access to the arts, ensuring that these spaces remain vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable.
The arts are not a luxury. They are a fundamental part of who we are. And they belong to all of us. Let’s fight to keep it that way.
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