Quote:
Originally Posted by Gozer
I have that perception because some artists want gov't subsidies because their line of work can't pay their bills, and I don't think that's a taxpayer's problem.
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Alot of things people don't think are taxpayer's problems, but they are. Let's take a look at the National Portrait Gallery - the federal government is the primary financial backing behind it, and where do you think they get that money from? And that said, would you not want a big new venue that will elevate Calgary's arts and culture scene? I would say something like that is part and parcel of a growing city. Furthermore, artists work from all over Canada, often times who have received public grants, will have work showcased there.
Does that not mean anything to you? Or are you content with more commerical and residential towers as the entire range of our architecture in this city?
I'm sorry, but you're not likely to get Encana or Imperial to put up tens of millions of dollars for a top-tier art gallery. Therefore, the government
must step in and contribute. And when we have a windfall of money like our projected surplus, no time like the present to help invest in Alberta's creative future.