Should DC government fund graffiti artists?

The District government spent $100,000 last year funding street murals by graffiti artists. The year before that, the city spent $700,000 removing graffiti. Is this a good investment?

This video explores the question.

Artist J.Coleman says this program is a good one because not just anyone in the city can experience art in a gallery, so when you create art in the street, it may be the only chance some people have to experience art.

Cory Stowers of Words Beats & Life says teaching kids how to do graffiti art is a way to teach art in the district.  He says graffiti happens because there isn't enough arts education in schools.

Byron Peck says when you just scribble your name somewhere, it is vandalism. He thinks that graffiti can be fine art in the right context and he likens it to public art, which he loves because no one can purchase it and hide it away.  Peck points out that when graffiti art evolves into the gallery setting, it risks losing its "cutting edge."

This article by Shauna Lee Lange expores the question in greater depth.