Bau’s Blaug
The latest news from “the Big Cheese” – Executive Director Bau Graves.
A New Framework for the Arts
Back in May, I was privileged to represent Old Town School at a meeting at the White House concerning artists and the national recovery. It was an unprecedented event, at which a group of community cultural activists were invited to offer our insights into the importance of the arts to our troubled times. Most of us hoped that the Obama administration would propose some bold new steps in support of the arts; instead, the government’s team turned to us for answers, asking us, “What do YOU recommend?”
Six months later, our group of musicians, dancers, writers, media artists and community organizers has issued a call to arms. After a vigorous debate, with a lot of editing, double-checking and re-writing, “Art and the Public Purpose: A New Framework” offers a clear statement of values and proceeds to outline five broad areas of action that we believe can usher in a new flowering of American democratic culture.
The preamble begins: America needs a bold new investment in culture, a policy recognizing that culture holds the key to a future we can believe in. This Framework calls on Congress and the Obama Administration to support art’s public purpose to mend our social fabric, promote freedom of expression and a vibrant, inclusive national dialogue, and revitalize both education and commerce with the creativity that has always been the wellspring of our energy and success… It goes on to offer specific recommendations regarding the development of a new national cultural policy; the importance equitable resource allocation; the prospect of recognizing and protecting cultural assets the same way we protect the natural environment; the creation of a “new WPA” for the arts; and the democratization of the media.
To read the entire Framework, go to www.newculturalpolicy.org. The website offers several opportunities for engagement, inviting you to endorse the Framework, contribute your own stories about the importance of the arts in your life and community, and suggestions for how to bring this cluster of proposals to the attention of our public servants. I encourage you to visit the website and pass this vital message along to your friends, families and governmental representatives. It is time for our country to embrace a public culture worthy of our great nation.
Filed under: Uncategorized by Bau | November 5, 2009 | Comments (1)
1 Comment so far
thanks for the report Bau. this is very encouraging news. i will be thinking more about this mission and how to bring our cause to the attention of public servants.