Being the Philistine & cultural pygmy that I am, I don't see it being a problem ! After all, far more important things in life that affect everybody from the highest to the lowliest are taking a beating, so why not the Arts ?
Incidentally just what is Art/Arts in this instance ? Just who exactly is going to suffer & be affected by these cuts ? For most people on the street you mention Arts & thoughts go automatically to Galleries, National Ballet, Opera & such like, things that have as much bearing on Joe & Josephina Public as the average temperature of an Eskimos navel ! (Eskimos excluded, as I assume it's pretty important on their scale of things, in fact ask them their views why not ? And await the Eskimo equivalent of ...... Eh ?)
Art is seen as the preserve of the rich & monied. That being the case perhaps they should put their hands in their pockets & support this much vaunted institute if it's held in such high esteem ! Merely the comments of one of the plebs.
