Public funding for abstract art often feels unjustifiable when hospitals and schools are underfunded, but I've seen how a city's character shifts when its galleries close. A single large-scale installation can draw more tourism revenue in a year than a small theater runs on in five, yet measuring that impact is messy. Should we keep directing tax money to art that most people won't engage with, or is there a healthier way to support creativity without making it a political football?