Amyas Ames, chairman of the board of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts between 1970-1981, died Jan. 24 in his sleep at his home in Lexington, MA.

Mr. Ames, considered a tireless fundraiser and arts advocate, was 93, and on his watch at Lincoln Center, the multi-complex Manhattan arts institution, Avery Fisher Hall was reconstructed, the "Live From Lincoln Center" TV program began and various community initiatives came into being.

He was the driving force behind The Lincoln Center Fund and during his time, The Lincoln Center Institute for Arts in Education was formed.

He was also chairman of the board of New York Philharmonic 1970 1983.

A Harvard graduate, Mr. Ames was an investment banker who worked for many years at Kidder, Peabody & Company. Since 1981, he was honorary chairman of Lincoln Center. He is survived by his wife, Lucia Millham Ames, sons Oakes and Edward, daughters Olivia Hoblitzelle and Joan Ames. Mr. Ames' first wife, Evelyn I. Perkins, died in 1990.

-- By Kenneth Jones