Subsidising the arts
Sir: Mr I. C. Snell's letter (May 3) raises an interesting point. I have long felt that at least some of the money for the arts in this country should come from a national lottery. This would allow those who like a gamble and those who want to support the arts to have their fun, while leaving other people the choice of their own journeys into whatever "realms of gold" attract them. Every civilised country must spend a small proportion of its national income on the arts (in this country at the Moment it amounts to approximately £26 million), but it can never be enough, and the arts can never win enough of the national purse in the face of the indisputable need for hospitals, schools, roads and the like. Your issue on the Performing Arts drew a gloomy picture, But a national lottery could do much to relieve the gloom. It could give us all a chance to win prize money and at the same time provide the Arts with at least some of the millions they so badly need. It could keep the seat prices down and build theatres and concert halls and provide sites for pop festivals — or even pay writers and painters for their work. Would Mr Snell approve?
Anne Wood 59 Marlborough Place, London, NW8
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