in many societies not the market itself, but the government shoulders a big share of the costs for the arts. Societies came to the conclusion that they need to

in many societies not the market itself, but the government shoulders a big share of the costs for the arts. Societies came to the conclusion that they need to publicly fund the arts in order to give everyone access to culture and not turn it into a luxury commodity. It's astonishing how much many things like entrances for museums, theatres and art installation would cost if they would need to pay for themselves. Many would not, or hardly able to pay such a premium price, shutting them off from the culture that defines the societies themselves.