High Tax Rates Caused Too Much Culture
Corporate art purchases were common from the 1950s through the 1970s, with corporations supporting symphonies, operas, and dance companies as a mark of corporate citizenship. These expenses were tax-deductible, with the government covering half the cost. Employees preferred compensation in-kind, such as office spaces with avant-garde design or tickets to cultural events, as they faced high marginal tax rates. However, after the 1980s, as tax rates decreased, employees preferred cash over cultural benefits, leading to a decline in corporate support for culture. The shift from a culture-focused corporate environment to a more utilitarian one was influenced by changes in tax rates.
