So the Blair government threw a bunch of money at arts programs for children because it was proven that arts education cut crime. “At the bottom of the press release was a note saying that in areas where the scheme had been successful, burglary rates had fallen by up to 23 per cent.” Great. But why have to justify supporting arts education on social grounds? “Is it too far fetched to believe in a future where artists and performers of all sorts are a familiar and essential part of the school community?”