I don’t know art, but I do know how to spend tax money

Madison, Wisc., proposal to require “art” receiving 1 percent of any project of $5 million or more: "Through the proper presentation of public art, places become destinations and enhance the visitor's understanding of the unique space and community they occupy.’ Funding public art would ‘promote cultural heritage and understanding, enhance the environment, contribute to economic development and increase civic involvement.’"

The City of Fort Worth, Texas, government mandates 2 percent.

Raleigh, N.C.’s 1 percent-for-art "provides public places with civic distinction, as well as fostering meaningful connections between people and place." “…Raleigh threw $20,000 at a giant metal acorn, which the city drops Time Square–style to ring in the new year.”

Oregon’s state program “enhances the ‘quality of life for all Oregonians through the arts by stimulating creativity, leadership and economic vitality.’ For example, it spent $600,000 on art for a jail that never opened.”

$600,000. Let’s see – Filling a pothole costs maybe $50, so … But they’re funding art, not math.

Story at http://reason.com/blog/2017/05/31/madison-wisconsins-percent-for-art-ordin

Who decides which “art” will get the tax money – Melinda Taxpayer, or a committee of people intelligent about art and stuff?

Link at maggiesfarm.