RALEIGH — TheUnited Arts Councilsaluted businesses Friday who offer their support in bringing fine arts to the Triangle.

Debbie Allen was the award luncheon's keynote speaker. The actress, dancer, director and producer told an enthusiastic crowd she got her start in dance through a scholarship.

The Ambassadors of the Year Award was given toCapitol Broadcasting'sBen Waters and his wife, Martha, for leading the fund-raising campaign this past year.

"It is easy to ask, because the arts just mean so much to the welfare of the community and to your family," Martha says.

"The artists and the performers make this such a great place to live, to work and, incidentally, to retire," Ben says.

Waters retired last month, but he did not retire from community service. He and his wife led United Arts last fund-raising campaign, raising $1.6 million.