The Arts should not be the first group of activities cut after budget cuts

Your argument is very general and you start off by implying that sports funding should be cut before arts programs (later you change your view: "I do not believe the Arts should be saved and the sports cut, or vice versa"). I believe the end of your argument also too general where you say that the arts should not be cut completely before sports takes a cut. So, for a better argument I would like to restructure the original question to something that would have a more definitive view point: If budget cuts become necessary in a public school system, which of the following programs should have funding cut first: The Arts or Athletics? It all boils down to a couple of key factors. 1. What percentage of the student body participates in these activities? e.g. if 10% are in the arts and 40% in sports (made up numbers) how will that effect the budget office's decision AND 2. How does each program benefit to a students education and well being? According to a U.S. News and World Report study on the High School athletics in 2011, there are over 7.6 million high school athletes which is 55.5% of the total number of high school students. Even more stunning is the fact that sports participation has increased for the past 22 years (in 2011). A separate study childtrends.org in 2011 as well showed that only 38.9% of high school seniors participated in performing arts or school music programs. If 1000 dollars were to be cut from the athletic program it would affect over half of the students whereas if the cuts were made from the arts programs it would affect less than 4 in 10. This information shows clearly that cuts to athletics will hurt more students than cuts to the arts programs, but that is not enough a basis to substantiate cuts to the Arts. While I agree that the Arts are important, sports programs are crucial to many children's lives. For example, obesity is a major problem that is sweeping the nation and increased interest in athletics helps to keep kids fit and healthy. A more healthy America is crucial to the future of this nation. Sports also are one of the easiest ways to help many kids make good friends and learn valuable life lessons such as hard work, determination, and teamwork. Now, I'm not saying that kids can't learn life lessons and make friends in arts programs, but sports teams form an immediate brotherhood (or sisterhood) of close friends. Also you mentioned that many sports programs get new jerseys all the time even if there is no need. From personal experience where I live most if not all of our uniforms were purchased through fundraising if we wanted new ones. In sports like baseball, football, and wrestling uniforms are worn out very quickly. Most of the funding in sports goes towards upgrading facilities, training aids, or replacing equipment that is no longer safe. Upgrading facilities is beneficial to the whole community, especially for youth sports teams. For example, if funding is used to build a baseball batting cage, that will not only help the high school team for years to come, but also the hundreds of other youth sports teams who take advantage of it. You brought up the point about every student owning their own instruments. Do you think that it should be different? if the school bought instruments for all of the students it would cost a fortune and the students would not be able to take their instruments home to practice. If they did take it home to practice and it got broken, then who would pay for it? Then you also said a general statement : "The school is not providing for every student as it would with an athletic activity". Although you have no evidence to support that claim I wanted to address it because you are coming off as if the schools have it out for the arts programs and are saving the athletic programs. The truth of the matter is that both programs are important and sometimes budget cuts need to be made. When the time comes to decide what should be cut, it is the arts programs because they are less popular in schools and will hurt the overall student body more. It does not make any sense to cut the programs that help a majority of the student body.