There must be constant action and interaction between any cultural institution and the community in which it is to thrive. The desire, the need for the emotional, spiritual and intellectual fruits of the arts must spring from the people themselves, with just the right amount of inspiration and perhaps some subliminal guidance from its cultural leaders. The people themselves must indicte by their interested and active attendance, by their financial support, that they appreciate and want what the arts have to offer. They themselves must realize that the arts are at the very core of their

The author examines the history of government patronage of the arts prior to the founding of the NEA.

It is true that the area of our effusions has been strictly limited this morning by the management. I would love to talk to you about some of the things that I have been enjoined not to mention; for instance, federal government aid for the arts. However, I have been told not to, so I will only do it diplomatically and tangentially.

Since all gifts, from all sources, in the last analysis require the interest and action of an individual or a group of individuals, let us consider some of the favorable factors relating to individuals in the arts fund-raising program.