This also goes for large art institutions. In my field (classical music, in Germany) these institutions live mostly on the public purse. As a consequence, their

This also goes for large art institutions. In my field (classical music, in Germany) these institutions live mostly on the public purse. As a consequence, their target audience skews hard towards government grant and subsidy committees. Many put on shows nobody wants to see, that speak to nobody, but have fascinating write-ups. It is in some ways a remnant of Milton Babbitt's famous article, "who cares if you listen?"[1] except without the intellectual honesty. Cultural institutes and funded culture agents exist not just to create art qua art, but as a part of culture - ie with an audience. Of course they should take risks and push boundaries, but not exclusively. [1] http://www.palestrant.com/babbitt.html http://www.palestrant.com/babbitt.html