If you can get a government grant at either better terms than a bank would give or even for free with no repayment at all, you get bigger profit than if you got that money from a bank or an investor. Such is the nasty siren song of socialism and fascism.
I doubt Les Miz the stage production in the US of A got any arts grant monies and it was fabulous and I saw a stage production twice. Also saw the movie, although with some lesser singers, it was extremely well done in following the story and great scenery that fit the story. I have never read “Les Miserables” by Victor Hugo; however, my neighbor who is Haitian read “Les Miserables” in French in HS in Haiti and in college in New York in English. It’s well worth anyone’s time to see the movie.
“Such is the nasty siren song of socialism and fascism. “
I don’t know, I think the siren call is “safety.”
If it’s someone else’s money, there’s so much less risk, thus, less chances are taken. The arts become far less interesting and much “safer” and I don’t mean “less pornographic,” I just mean more predictable and playing to please a board of directors which gives grants.
If you have a patron, you’re trying to please the patron. If the patron rewards excellence (they all don’t), then, we all benefit. Great art is produced.
If you’re on your own, you either “sell out” for commercial success (which sometimes produces great art) or keep your artistic integrity and remain true to your vision. So great art was often produced, but, I guess, not any more, we have to keep it safe and steal from taxpayers in order to subsidize it.