Classical music needs more than a bailout, says Matthew Walther. We must put ticket prices within the range of ordinary people, ensure that musicians and singers can support themselves and give young people of all social and economic backgrounds the ability to listen to this music.
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After weeks of mostly pointless debate, it appears that Congress is finally about to send an economic stimulus bill to President Trump. The version of the relief package that passed unanimously in the Senate on Wednesday and is expected to breeze through the House by Friday will offer both expanded unemployment insurance and direct payments to millions of Americans affected by the coronavirus pandemic, in addition to the usual more or less unavoidable carve-outs for finance and other business interests.
One provision of the bill that has not met with universal acclaim is the earmarking of $25 million for the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Matt Schlapp, the chairman of the American Conservative Union, tweeted that the board of the performing arts center should "Show us You care [sic]" by giving away the money to a local charity.
I also take issue with this move, which has been vigorously defended by President Trump (of all people), albeit for very different reasons. Why should only the Kennedy Center be receiving these funds?... Keep reading on The Week