Here in New Orleans, there is a "Jazz National Park" ~ a unique entity, as far as I know ~ and I know of at least two fine musicians who have day jobs there as uniformed Park Rangers: Bruce "Sunpie" Barnes and Matt Hempsey. In this capacity, they occasionally perform themselves, and regularly (daily, or almost daily) organize and supervise lectures and concerts.

Providing jobs like these, and hiring musicians regularly for performances, seems like an appropriate role for government in supporting the arts. I am less enthusiastic about designating a lucky few performers as "national treasures" and providing full-time lifetime incomes ~ who would decide which individuals receive such coveted status? I can't imagine the process NOT being rife with corruption.