To Save Museums, Treat Them Like Highways | The New York Times

Arts institutions should receive federal infrastructure funding to ensure their survival and growth.

Arts institutions in the United States face critical funding challenges, with much of their budget relying on private donations and government grants that fail to cover essential costs like staff salaries and maintenance. The authors argue that these institutions should be funded like infrastructure projects, such as highways and high-speed internet, to provide more stable financial support.

The current reliance on private philanthropy and ticket sales leaves many cultural institutions, especially small and midsize ones, vulnerable. A federal infrastructure approach could offer a solution by diverting a small fraction of the existing infrastructure budget to museums, theaters, and galleries, treating them as essential parts of the country’s cultural and economic fabric.

This shift would support the five million people employed in the arts and provide economic benefits to local communities. It would also help reduce the influence of wealthy donors and corporations over cultural content, democratizing the arts and reducing political controversies tied to arts funding. By treating arts institutions as infrastructure, the authors propose a more sustainable model that recognizes the cultural sector’s importance to the nation’s well-being.

Such an approach would build on successful past initiatives, like the Save Our Stages act during the pandemic, which provided crucial support to independent venues. By securing stable funding for the arts, the U.S. can ensure a thriving, equitable arts sector for all communities.

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