Are they supposed to live off of their art? Who says that ever happened in history, or that should it be the norm? Are we supposed to distribute all earnings in the arts by force? How do we measure who gets how much?

You need to realise that most artists never made a living with their art. If they did, they had a rich sponsor who simply liked their art.

If rich people don't do that anymore: Tough luck. Maybe the rich people are at fault, but maybe the artists are crap?

Don't even get me started with the state and 'Somebody ought to do something!'isms.