1.   The university has a long tradition of supporting the arts.

2.   Arts organizations have struggled for years with the question of accepting what are, in effect, tobacco profits to support the arts.

3.   After all, any conceivable amount funneled from some future lottery would be small compared to the gifts from foundations, corporations and individuals that now support the arts.

4.   But less publicized is that local and state governments are supporting the arts at record levels.

5.   But the minister, Natalya Dementyeva, also called upon private enterprise to play a larger role in supporting the arts.

6.   But when Ms. Loh applied for a grant to support her art, she was turned down.

7.   But what if another issue that must be addressed is the right-wing accusation that the NEA supports art assailing mainstream values?

8.   Democracies as far back as the fifth century B.C. -- like Athens -- supported the arts.

9.   Even without New York State Council activities, her days are full, with rehearsals for her performances and speeches supporting the arts.

10.   Even with NEA, we are supporting the arts at levels only a third to a tenth of those that European governments provide.