Argument Quote by Dakin Matthews
“You can't argue that you have to have art, and prove it to anybody. Why should I give $1,000 to art when there are people starving? Of course, that's true. But just because you can't, theoretically, defend the arts, or make a sensible argument for their preservation, doesn't mean they're not important.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on Arts Funding, 2010
The arts lack a simple monetary justification, yet they hold intrinsic societal value beyond immediate utility.
In simple terms: Art is valuable even if you can't prove it with money.
Recognize and support art for its cultural importance.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- grant applications
- public policy
- community events
- educational programs
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we measure art's impact beyond dollars?
- What non‑financial reasons justify supporting the arts?
Economic arguments may overlook long‑term benefits of artistic enrichment.