Hello Everyone.
As many of you who did not make the trip out to DC for the Inauguration yesterday i was glued to CNN all day. Such a good feeling to be part of history even if it is from my work. During one of the many interviews yesterday the best political team on television interviewed mega producer Quincy Jones about his feelings on Obama being elected prez and his thoughts on the world that has changed. Jones answered the questions and used part of his on air time to plug something that is tres important to the arts community. Jones talked about the US getting a newly appointed Secretary of the Arts. I know that a lot of you out there have been getting emails from various arts organizations/artists about an online petition to help us get a the job filled. Once i heard it being spoke about by someone highly regarded on national television i knew that this is for real and not a chain email. At this point Mr. Jones had my full attention as he was talking about how the arts are such a vital part in a childs development, he mentioned examples of kids not knowing famous american artists like Louie Armstrong and how it makes him sad that a lot of kids dont know some important figures in american history. Once asked about who he thinks would be a good canidate for the job i was eagerly awaiting his response……..and i was let down. Quincy Jones had no answer aside from a great review board to select the most qualified person. I was thinking to myself that if i were to be asked the same question i would have a response. Thinking about it for a while i said to myself “Damn, I dont” .
There are many people who would be great for the job but what should the qualifications be? Who do you think are some good canidates for the job? (if filled)
I would like to ask you the readers for your thoughts on the subject because we all know that the arts always gets the short end of the stick while we are such a huge part of the american culture and fabric. Don’t be shy either about saying what you think because I am sure there are plenty of people like me out there who would vote for “Pdiddy” in a heartbeat:)
B
setting lights for a show
DustPuppyOI
Throwing out a couple of names with some better than most:
Wynton Marsalis: He’s an excellent musician, active proponent of the arts, and he’s experienced with all of his ventures in public outreach.
James Wolcott: Journalist and blogger with keen interest in dance (and skilled proponent of snark).
Felix Salmon: From http://www.portfolio.com/views/blogs/market-movers/, one of the few business bloggers who has been a key proponent of arts as being part of the stimulus package.
Chita Rivera: Worked with the greats and she knows where she’s been. Keen on teaching the young’uns.
Jan 21, 2009 @ 20:05
Kevin
Hello,
I write this knowing that, in this forum at least, I maybe in the severe minority, but I think pushing for a “Secretary of the Arts” is a waste of time and a bad idea. While I believe art is important, I don’t think it warrants an entire governmental department nor a cabinet level position. Cabinet positions should be reserved for exactly what they are reserved for. National defense, national transportation, foreign affairs, education, justice, etc. Areas that we, as a nation, depend on for continued existence. I also think it’s a bad idea because the only function it would end up serving is to turn art into a into a bureaucracy, and nobody would benefit from that.
I do believe the arts are very important though. They ARE a vital part in a child’s development, as well as being a vital part in defining and developing our culture as a society, and should be a well funded function of education. Unfortunately, when school districts across the country run into financial troubles, almost without hesitation, the arts are the first thing to go. Cut theater, cut choir, cut band, I think most people today would be hard pressed to find a typical high school in this country that still has a theater or drama department, and increasingly difficult to find one that still has a music program, and that is just wrong. Granted, larger metropolitan school districts try to compensate by creating a magnet school for the arts, but that’s not enough. All students, in all grades, should have some exposure to the arts, and if the school districts can’t afford it, then the state and federal governments should step in and help provide the funding. There should be enough federal dollars available to support these programs and to ensure that a person in this county doesn’t graduate high school without ever having seen a play, or been to a ballet, or heard a symphony.
At a time when companies across the nation are struggling to make ends meet, and find supporters, I believe fostering interest in, and exposing students of all ages to the arts, would solve many of these problems and financial hardships in the future. Imagine an entire generation interested in the arts. Naturally not everyone will be passionate enough or able to support arts programs, but there would be far more people than there are now, than those of us that find the arts by accident. I was almost thirty when I truly discovered my passion for the arts, but I think with the right encouragement and more exposure I would have discovered that passion ten or fifteen years earlier.
Jan 22, 2009 @ 12:58
Patricia
It’s not a bad idea…if it doesn’t become a personal or political platform. My fear if this appointment comes true is that a cultural deity like Placido Domingo, who is immune from critical judgment of ANY kind, would be appointed. Michael Kaiser, Judith Jamison, and Baryshnikov are all proven leaders who get results. My choices - Yo-Yo Ma, Michael Tilson Thomas, John Adams - are probably all too busy.
Arts education and organization survival tactics must be included in the job description.
Jan 22, 2009 @ 15:35
hal
How about Damien Woetzel? Didn’t he just get an MBA from Harvard in Arts Administration?
I think maybe raising the NEA (National Endowment for the Arts) to a Cabinet level position might be the way to go with this.
It would recognize the importance of this - but maybe it is overkill as Kevin has stated.
Do we really need that person sitting in on Cabinet meetings? I am not sure that is necessary either. But it might refocus the nation a bit on the immportance of the Arts. However, given the current situation in the economy it ain’t gonna happen. So I think maybe a better short term effort would be to make sure the NEA gets more money for its grant programs - that would create arts jobs which is really important right now.
All arts organizations are hurting. I believe that even NYCB has been suffering. I think the Gala sold far fewer tables than in recent years. I think the huge NYCB endowment will keep them going with little issues but I heard (rumor begins here) that they are cutting corps overtime and rehearsals with the orchestra (end rumor). If that is in fact true I commend Martins for acting proactively to keep the company as strong as possible going forward.
I can’t begin to imagine what is now happening to smaller less endowed organizations. And it will get a lot worse before it gets better. I think we will see a lot of small dance companies suffer dramatically. And that will be a great loss.
Jan 22, 2009 @ 20:03
brian
all the comments are very informative.
Good stuff.
B
Jan 23, 2009 @ 17:58
sophie b
A petition for a Secretary of the Arts sent to me by a friend… sign and pass it on!
http://www.petitiononline.com/esnyc/petition.html
Jan 24, 2009 @ 23:29
brian
see.
i told you its out there.
Jan 25, 2009 @ 19:52
xtanzer
I have to agree with Kevin. A natioal beaurocracy of the arts caused by the appointment of a high level cabinet position is potentially disasterous. While it makes everyone “feel good” about having a secretary of the arts, the reality is that it’s just more bloat. We all want to fight for the arts, yes, I agree, but the US already has the National Endowment of the Arts - an amazing agency which, astonishingly, had it’s monies INCREASED every year since it was cut almost in half back in 1995. It seems to be a bit more party-neutral than a cabinet positon would be. It’s respected and they do good work Every time I see the arts on tv or see something good at the various opera houses, there is always a mention of the NEA providing funding. I think a better approach is to perhaps let the NEA suggest better core curriculum for schools to follow. Why the NEA? Because they already have their hands in all parts of the arts. They have a broader knowledge than a cabinet membeer would, they have most of the bases covered and they arel already ACTIVE. In addition to their funding, they also have school programs and they have the basic infrastructure in place. A new cabinet position would be starting from scratch. And who would you appoint? A jazz musician? An opera singer? That’s a figurehead appointment. What does a master of one idiom know about another? Realistcally very little. The best answer is to empower the NEA further and let them do what they do BEST - promote the arts in the United States.
But that’s just my humble opinion.
XTanzer
Jan 26, 2009 @ 17:42