I'm all for improper music myself. And most other things improper!Seriously though, I certainly agree with one of the first points made here -In the UK the Opera and Ballet seem to get all the funding as well as air time and I reckon I know why.
Only the well off could afford to pay 10's, if not 100's of pounds to go to a production by Sadlers Wells or The Royal Ballet and yet these organisations are funded, by the government and other agencies to the tune of millions.
All these millions therefore are going to give pleasure to the rich minority, the rich minority own the media, the media tell us that classical music and dance deserve the funding and so it goes on. Conspiracy theory??? Moulder eat your heart out!
Try getting a grant from the government (local or central) for a folk festival however and you will be told that they can only spare a few hundred quid, if that, as all there funds are committed elsewhere. We know why though don't we (see above).
Don't get the impression that I am bitter about not getting funded though - I'm not. We do get some funding and use it to keep the price of tickets down at our festival and provide some free entertainment for anyone interested. I'm happy that we provide a good service and everyone else is happy that they can afford some live entertainment.
Sorry for the thread drift but the bit that rubs is that it is our taxes and our efforts that pay to subsidise an elitist culture, ensuring it's self perpetuation.
(Gets off soap box)
Ahhhh - I feel better now after a good rant!
Dave the Socialist Gnome