I am surprised and concerned about an article that appeared in the Dec. 29 edition of Newsday with the title "Nassau Considers Axing Museum Aid." As a volunteer docent at the Nassau County Museum of Art, I can testify to both the dedication and intensive amount of time spent by the professional staff.

I do not know the specifics of the expenses quoted in the article or how they were verified but I do know that anything taken out of context is never what it initially seems to be. I also know that expenses for all exhibits are kept within the budget for the individual shows. I know that the museum itself, along with the generous board of trustees, raises the monies required for programs and exhibits. We all work extremely hard but joyously to make exceptional offerings to the public. Not the least to consider is the educational outreach to schools, which has been so successful that more and more children are exposed not only to the art but also to stimulating activities designed to develop their cognitive skills as well.

My concern is that readers of the article will automatically assume that the NCMA is a great place to cut costs for the county. As a prominent art dealer once told me, "Your museum is one of the jewels of the Eastern Seaboard." Let's hope the luster of this jewel will not be lost.

Diane Levine