re: One of the functions of government is to preserve the culture.
The trick is who gets to decide what "the culture" is. I like Wyeth's work. So did a lot of people, even if a lot of critics didn't. He didn't need government support, and there was a reason for that.
I'm sure the critics adore the "shit machine," though. A lot of art is a racket. It's always instructive to go to a museum showing some "avante garde" stuff and read the long descriptions next to the work. I saw one up at Spokane that was a rusted bedspring with some broom handles stuck in it. I wish I could transcribe the card that told us all the "meaning" of it.