Amanda Palmer Goes on the Attack with "Why I Am Not Afraid to Take Your Money"

While I can honestly say that I don't think Amanda Palmer is a publicist's dream, she does bring up some interesting points in her September 20th blog, shamelessly entitled, "Why I am Not Afraid to Take Your Money"  (Insert "Really Foul Language" warning here). Essentially, Palmer is lamenting the fact that people want good art--in fact, fully expect it--but aren't necessarily willing to pay for it. Artists often go unappreciated, and those who truly love their work often seem to go gently into the good night that is the life of a "starving musician." In her very forward way, Palmer is asking that those who want the art need to realize that artists are indeed doing their work  as a career , too, and they have--*gasp*--basic needs which can only be achieved with the financial support of their fans. 

It does certainly seem that we are always tinkering with the various components to find a survival technique for our arts organizations.....i.e. we need this much education, that much "pops" programming, and a little dash of "art for art's sake" to remain financially stable. My question draws a parallel to Palmer's argument: why aren't the arts worth more? Why are they expected to be present as a staple of a strong community, yet so few want to support them?

--Chelsie