Every year, I have an argument with an artist friend from Leeds.

Every year, always the same exchange of views.

"What do we need public art for?" I ask.

The sigh, which grows wearier with every passing year, is followed by something along the lines of: "As I said last year, Nick, you could live in a city where the buildings are grey boxes, where you do your job of work, make your money and go home.

"But why would you want to?"

Clearly, as a critic but also a champion of the arts for the region, my question is asked in the spirit of Devil's Advocate.

It is asked because I want to hear the artist defend public art, to make a case for our galleries, our theatres, our houses of culture.

Why does public art need an advocate?

Because, for much too long, the home city of this artist has undervalued the arts. Massively.

It's not that great a surprise that the arts run a very poor second to the financial development of Leeds. The city's £2.1bn of major development over the past 10 years has come in the commercial sector. But just as man cannot live by bread alone, nor can his soul feed on money.

Do we really want the only drama in our lives to come from watching the share index rise and fall, the only music to our ears the sounds of the city's millions of cash tills ringing?

Earlier this year, I argued in the Yorkshire Post that, ever since the rejection of Antony Gormley's Brick Man, the arts in Leeds have been long forgotten. It was almost as though we were ashamed to be seen enjoying cultural pursuits. Our money could be spent in the restaurants, hotels, the boutiques and bars – but not the theatres,
the galleries.

This week, Leeds has finally taken a stride towards appreciating the value of the arts, a step out of the boutiques and towards a cultural haven.

The city, it has been decided, will finally have a large-scale arena.

It was expected the venue would be built by a private developer on land either in Holbeck, south of city, or near Elland Road.

Expectation was turned on its head: the council decided to build the arena, and it will be on Clay Pit Lane, in the city centre.

Hurrah. Correct decisions all around.

The council deciding to build the arena itself rights many years of wrongs and under-investment in culture for Leeds.

Building it in the city centre – where it will cause an absolute nightmare for traffic, mark my words – means people will be able to get to it (via public transport) and bring their money to the surrounding bars and restaurants.

This year, I might not have to bother my artist friend with the annual question. Instead, we can toast the arts being given appropriate recognition in the city.