Robert Floyd: >If we can take a lesson from history, perhaps it's time to return to the >era of patronage. Until the 19th Century (more or less), many composers >were supported by royal patronage. While I don't believe we'll see the >NEA, or any other government body, acting in that role, why not look to >the true sources of power and influence in this country: the corporations? Well, unfortunately, this has already happened. Corporations have been giving money to arts organizations for years, and the arts are still in precarious shape. I have no idea what the answer is, but I suspect that someone other than a few weirdos are going to have to want serious art to the point where they're willing to pay for it. Steve Schwartz