Couldn't agree with you more. American conservatism is a solutions based philosophy; where we identify a problem we turn to free markets, human ingenuity and an appeal to universal morality to seek an answer. This is true in virtually every endeavor except the arts (and by that I include the visual arts, music, literature, cinema, etc.) For some reason, conservatives have, starting in the 20th century, willingly ceded this ground all together (with a few exceptions).
While our unique culture and distinct American civilization may be founded on traditional values, the arts are the means by which values are transmitted and related from one generation to the next. We have allowed the left to dominate this area, much to our own peril.
I have banged on about this for years. There are conservatives here who will not allow their children to appear in the high school musical because their kids will become gay. I’m not making this up. But that’s often the first step to introducing children to good music rather than the dreck they generally listen to. The parents, themselves, think that John Wayne movies are “camp” without even understanding what that word means. If I go over to Democratic Underground today, I will be assaulted by ignorant political comments. But if I go to a movie thread, I will read intelligent remarks - far more intelligent than most I read here. I’m shocked and disheartened by that. This has got to change.