The Future of the National Endowment for the Arts
The much beleaguered L.A. Times recently asked a number of artists/cultural figures, etc, what they might do if they ran the N.E.A. This is well timed, as the new administration is about to make a decision on the matter.
I was flattered to be asked. I often think (idly) that I should throw my hat in the ring for the job, however, now that I am middle-aged, and have spent years on the couch, I have little taste for pain of the sort experienced by Prometheus, for instance, who had his liver pecked out daily by an eagle. I am sure that is what the job would be like. Though I do like the idea of being of service to my country right now, as a sort of soldier/diplomat for culture. And I have always admired the legendary Perle Mesta, the 'hostess with the mostes (sic)", a gal who did her best to turn D.C. into Paris.
Here's my response to the Times:
Were I to throw my hat in the ring as culture czar/NEA head, I would start with the following:
I would attempt to pass legislation on a special tax dedicated to the NEA for all artists who make over half a million dollars a year from their work.
I would create a new version of the Federal Arts Project of the 1930s and '40s, which would also be funded by this surtax from the artists who have succeeded.
I would attempt to create a superfund from private donations from all studios or Apple, for instance, in order to replenish the coffers. That money would go to school arts programs, which have been slashed for years.
I would fund arts teaching positions through public/private partnerships.
I would create a national architecture czar in an effort to beautify our cities, the way André Malraux beautified Paris when he was the French minister of culture.
I would move away from the focus that the NEA has had on minor ethnocentric and folk projects and move into a broad, far-reaching series of projects that question the role of religion and commerce in the life of the nation.
I would encourage the high-tech industry to sponsor filmmakers and visual artists on projects, much as Maurice Tuchman did at LACMA in 1966 in the seminal exhibit "Art & Technology," which inspired me to become an artist.
I would present a series of lectures for senators and congressional leaders in Washington (open to the public) on the subject of the arts and their importance. It would feature speakers from the arts who had achieved master-status. I would transform the Kennedy Center Honors into the "American Masters Program."
I would encourage the Office of Faith Based Initiatives to begin a dialogue about tolerance, acceptance, democracy and theology in order to encourage a greater understanding of the powerful link between politics, religion and culture.
I would insist that a percentage of income from networks (both cable and traditional) go to fund both NPR and PBS.
I would bring symphonies to small towns.
I would wear a suit and tie all day, every day, and entertain cultural figures in my Georgetown brownstone and raise money through small private fundraisers there, in addition to initiating an Obama-like Internet fundraising machine for the arts, made up of small donors. I would solicit donations of small works on paper from important American artists to be auctioned online at this site, with money to go to the arts-in-the-schools program.
I would instruct the Smithsonian to develop a wing of political art, whose first exhibition would be about propaganda, torture and the Constitution. I would ask prominent artists and writers to curate shows across the country on this theme. It would be about the effects of war on the soul of a nation. It would be very complex and draw conclusions without simple bromides of either ideology.
I would ask Robert Hughes, Wes Anderson, Bill T. Jones, Frank Gehry, Meryl Streep, Suzan-Lori Parks, Eric Fischl and John Adams for their advice as often as possible, mainly because I admire them. Many others too, but it is too long a list. I would leave the NEA a far more powerful and vital institution than it was when I arrived.
I would make sure that I was a frequent guest at the White House, and I would always bring presents of art for the first children, so that when they grow up, they would include art into whatever magnificent endeavor for the public good that their marvelous parents helped shepherd them into.
If anyone in the administration wishes to discuss this, I am not too hard to find.
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Part 5
"...I would ask Robert Hughes, Wes Anderson, Bill T. Jones, Frank Gehry, Meryl Streep, Suzan-Lori Parks, Eric Fischl and John Adams for their advice as often as possible, mainly because I admire them. Many others too, but it is too long a list. I would leave the NEA a far more powerful and vital institution than it was when I arrived...."
Powerful and vital because it's been left at the mercy of corporate philanthropy, commercialized and left to shill for political propaganda. Sad that you think this is the most wiable way forward for the arts.
"...I would make sure that I was a frequent guest at the White House..."
I hear they're having Open House night now.
"...and I would always bring presents of art for the first children, so that when they grow up, they would include art into whatever magnificent endeavor for the public good that their marvelous parents helped shepherd them into."
Okay, now I know you're joking. Maybe everyone else will get it, too.
Part 4
"... and raise money through small private fundraisers there..."
Good luck! Why don't you first cut your teeth as a fundraiser for a symphony orchestra and then decide how easy that will be.
"... in addition to initiating an Obama-like Internet fundraising machine for the arts, made up of small donors."
The same small donors who are now losing their jobs and walking away from their mortgages?
"... I would solicit donations of small works on paper from important American artists to be auctioned online at this site, with money to go to the arts-in-the-schools program...."
Laughable
"...I would instruct the Smithsonian to develop a wing of political art, whose first exhibition would be about propaganda, torture and the Constitution...."
This is getting tiresome.
".. I would ask prominent artists and writers to curate shows across the country on this theme. It would be about the effects of war on the soul of a nation. It would be very complex and draw conclusions without simple bromides of either ideology."
Part 3
"I would present a series of lectures for senators and congressional leaders in Washington (open to the public) on the subject of the arts and their importance. It would feature speakers from the arts who had achieved master-status. I would transform the Kennedy Center Honors into the 'American Masters Program.'"
If the arts are so important, why wipe out ethnic and folk arts in favor of corporate-sponsored propaganda? Also, with the world entering a global recession, do you really think it's safe to have anything dependent on corporate funding?
"I would encourage the Office of Faith Based Initiatives to begin a dialogue about tolerance, acceptance, democracy and theology in order to encourage a greater understanding of the powerful link between politics, religion and culture."
Uh... what about the arts? Oh, right.... you're running for the National Endowment for Propaganda.
"I would insist that a percentage of income from networks (both cable and traditional) go to fund both NPR and PBS."
It already does.
"I would bring symphonies to small towns."
Do you know how expensive that is? Who's going to pay for it? Oh, right... contribution from corporations in a global recession.
"I would wear a suit and tie all day, every day..."
Wow!
"... and entertain cultural figures in my Georgetown brownstone..."
Wow!
Part 2
The opposite of privatization--philanthropization. Dumb idea. It's the role of government to look after the common good. It's the *National* Endowment for the Arts, not the Corporate Endowment for the Arts.
"I would fund arts teaching positions through public/private partnerships."
Sounds very republican.
"I would create a national architecture czar in an effort to beautify our cities, the way André Malraux beautified Paris when he was the French minister of culture."
What's with all the czars? Are we in Russia now?
"I would move away from the focus that the NEA has had on minor ethnocentric and folk projects and move into a broad, far-reaching series of projects that question the role of religion and commerce in the life of the nation."
Politicization of the arts... for propaganda? Dumb idea.
"I would encourage the high-tech industry to sponsor filmmakers and visual artists on projects, much as Maurice Tuchman did at LACMA in 1966 in the seminal exhibit 'Art & Technology,' which inspired me to become an artist."
Again, very republican.
Surely this article is satire?
"I would attempt to pass legislation on a special tax dedicated to the NEA for all artists who make over half a million dollars a year from their work."
Why single out artists? How about a special tax on anyone who makes over $500K/year? .
"I would create a new version of the Federal Arts Project of the 1930s and '40s, which would also be funded by this surtax from the artists who have succeeded."
Again, why fund it only from taxes derived from successful artists? A very naive proposition.
"I would attempt to create a superfund from private donations from all studios or Apple, for instance, in order to replenish the coffers. That money would go to school arts programs, which have been slashed for years."
Mr. Baitz...what the heck are you waiting for? Through your hat into the ring!
As someone who has been studying Fine Arts and Art Education for the last 5 years, I am glad to see others fighting for/writing about the arts.
Even this past semester during my student teaching experience I have seen how important it is to defend the importance of the arts, and instill a love of the arts in my students. I'm about to write notes to some of my students who have shown interest in art/teaching to encourage them to foster that interest. I hope at least one of them will remember my note of encouragement.
You got my vote, Mr. BAITZ ! ! !
But don't forget the beautifying our cities and PRESERVING many artifacts. We're in the Restoration of fine Furnishings SMALL BUSINESS and a little more upkeep and conserving our national treasures would be in order. Thanks for your input! ! ! !
Back in the days of the Soviet Union a group of artists staged an outdoor exhibition in Gorky Park. The army came in with tanks and bulldozers and destroyed it.
I was furious, but when I told a friend who was a painter about it, he just smiled.
"Isn't it great?" He said. "They CARED."
May we begin to think of art in the way in which the Greeks viewed music: ANY ART OVER WHICH THE MUSES PRESIDED. It included drama, dance, poetry and other literature, all visual arts, and, of course, music!
Come visit my community in Niles Township, Illinois to see how a truly fine arts program functions in the high school setting. It influences the programs offered and provided by the elementary districts which feed the high schools.
Visit the music programs in Minnesota which are targeted to be "retained or reinstated" because of the efforts and funds of that foundation.
I just spent a long weekend in Skokie - stayed at the Doubletree by Old Orchard - and visited relatives and old friends. ( I grew up in Chicago and Evanston.) Illinois has always been at the head of the pack vis a vis the arts, although funding has dwindled a lot since my day. Now I live in L.A. where the only thing free is the freeway.
Arts programs in the public schools here are mostly provided on a volunteer basis, unless the school is an arts magnet or something special like that. My best friend from sixth grade, who before she had kids taught art in high schools and community colleges, is now working in a grocery store and thankful she has a job that pays for health insurance. Art gives meaning to life, yet there are no jobs for art teachers. The stimulus package should cover this. Teaching art, music, drama, literature: these are shovel ready jobs. Children are infrastructure too. Investing in them is investing in our country's future.
As an artist, interested in working with vets who have PTSD and are having a hard time seeing a therapist because of VA beauracracy and other reasons..... I welcome taxes on artists making over a half million w/out taxes. Send money down to community art, where people who need art in order to THRIVE are without funds. Art is universal and all folks should have access to develop whatever helps creative gifts the great Creator has blessed them with. Art can and should be used to help people dream and express their feelings. The past 30 years has demeaned many working class artists who don't have money for paint and who are losing that creative spark given to them. Meanwhile, there are indications from many sources that using art therapy helps the community by driving down crime and getting into the heads of children who have seen art budgets at school dry up.
While I don't appreciate alot of current "art" from Schnabble to whomever, I believe everyone should be able to see what they want, paint what they want.... maybe the free market would drive down the costs of some art and elevate humble local artists to see the beauty in the world. (God knows we need some beauty now)! P.S. I think Pollock's lifestyle was questionable, but after many years, I think I'm appreciating the chaos in his mind much better.
I'm still trying to figure out what you mean about art against commerce? What, Christo is going to wrap up the CEO of Bank of America? Julian Schnabel ripping up thousands of dollars and dashing them on a canvas? NOW THAT'S ART....I know it when I see it!
It sounds like you're replaying that old, tired tome about doing art for art's sake. It's f**k the money until it's waved in front of some self important blathering artist. Then alakazam....
If you want to know why people don't want to fund the arts, just pick up a copy of Art Forum......and tell me that you understand what they are even talking about, much less producing. It's all this talk, talk, talk, constant intellectualizing about the process and this and that. It's time for these self congratulatory artists to shut up and get to work. Any repeat of the past from Duchamp's Urinals to Pollack's dribndrabs should be banned. Meanwhile if we want to read any mania from the artist's mouth, we can all read those letters to Theo.
Disband the individual arts grants program with the NEA. The last thing any NEA endowed artist in the last 30 years needed was an NEA grant.
The program should be investigated as to the association of the recipients with panel members. Might be surprising as to the limited application of recipients.
Yay for Jon Robin Baitz. You've got my vote.
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