From the perspective of a person who grew up in poverty, I do not support this drain on the Federal budget. However, if it can be shown that starving people will crawl into an art exhibit to view the paintings as they starve to death, I will reconsider my opinion. The money would be better spent to mitigate the plight of the poor. If the pretentious rich wish to encourage the creation of "art", they should do so with their own money rather than use tax money.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Endowment_for_the_Arts
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Endowment_for_the_Arts