What's equally interesting, to me, is the differences in national funding levels for the arts.  The US is far behind many other nations in terms of public funding for the arts.  Instead, it's left up to individual and private donors.  Does that really result in a more vibrant arts community, particularly when the arts are proven to benefit learning capacity and educational retention rates, in addition to personal satisfaction levels (i.e., straight up happiness)?  Are these not "public" interests and part of the "public" welfare?