Music and Greed

Sometimes it is hard to comprehend the bigger picture when you live in the American middle class bubble. This looming financial crisis is clearly going to be devastating and has had a huge impact on our economy, but really I have seen nothing change. If I didn't read the newspapers, I would never have guessed.
So what does this $700 billion dollar bailout mean for art? From Damien Hirst's example, it seems people are still willing to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on it. But will people continue to be as generous towards art that doesn't exclusively benefit themselves? When you hear that banks are collapsing, that our economy is in shambles, your first reaction is not to donate to your local orchestra. You get a little scared, and rightfully so. Maybe you start saving more money and cut out non-essentials. And art is right up there at the top. But why do I assume this, when I don't actually see it happening? I am still going to Beethoven's ninth this weekend, my friends are still going to the ballet, so why should other people change? Situation must be taken into account; a college student living off her parent's generosity and summer savings is far different from someone who must support her family. Art depends on money, and who knows what will happen to the institutions we love.