An online petition (Quincy Jones) asking for a Secretary of the Arts

[LisaM]

I can't tell you how strongly I support this. Please take a moment to sign if you agree. Thank you.


http://www.petitiononline.com/esnyc/petition.html

[bdamomma]

1. signed

[LisaM]

3. Thank you!

Imagine the world of higher test scores, less crime, and more happiness.

[mzteris]

2. k&r

:kick:

[Romulox]

4. Um, yeah, I signed it!

http://www.imeem.com/lanier2/music/fHQQZRV4/sanford_son_theme_song_1972/

[antigop]

5. Oh, wow! Thanks for posting.

antigop--stong supporter of the Arts and would have gone insane the last 8 years if it weren't for live theater and music

[monmouth]

6. I was just wondering about this the other day. Very important and

I think Quincy would be just the man to help in this endeavor. Glad to sign.

[skeewee08]

7. Done:-)

[terisan]

8. thanks for posting. This important. That stimulus plan should have large sums for art.

[MADem]

9. I'm going to be a contrarian, here. I hate government art.

Government art is propaganda. It's also ugly. Look at that piece of shit WW2 Memorial--it looks, for all the world, like the GERMANS won. Why not? They built the monstrosity.

I like private foundations that support the arts. If the government can give these foundations some sort of advantage, that might be nice. If governments can provide funding so school districts can hire art and music and dance teachers, great.

But I don't think governments should weigh in on what "art" is anymore than they should get in bed with religions. It's just too close a relationship.

Fire away....

[maxsolomon]

12. refuted:

a minister of culture wouldn't be about the production of public art.

[MADem]

19. Not really. A Minister of Culture would be WORSE than a Secretary of Arts.

What's your point with the pic? The only thing the taxpayers funded was the COMPETITION to pick the design. The memorial fund is soliciting donations to build the memorial center to go with that memorial, though: http://www.vvmf.org/index.cfm?SectionID=51

I remember the controversy over that memorial clearly.

The vets hated the fact that the artist was...gasp...ASIAN...and they wanted realistic representations, like a bronze soldier or something. The acrimony was EXTREME.

A panel (not an individual) from the NEA (National Endowment for the Arts · an independent federal agency) voted on that design. And it wasn't paid for by the taxpayers. All we ponied up was the expenses to publicize the competition, and a place to put it...

http://arts.endow.gov/about/40th/vietnam.html

I like the NEA--I think that's MORE than enough, though.

I shudder to think what sort of "Minister of Culture" or "Secretary of Art(s)" Bush might have selected.

If art is to be "political," it should be the personal political expression of private citizens. An NEA panel is one thing--an individual directing the course of "art" in America is too Soviet for my tastes.

[maxsolomon]

23. the point of the picture is that not all public art is bad

that's it.

i'd merely like to see the arts recognized as important in america instead of useless frippery to be tossed aside during value engineering. it has cabinet level status in multiple european democracies, and in holland & scandinavia, design is a major export that is fully supported by the government.

[MADem]

30. We should increase NEA funding then--not put an Art Propagandist in the cabinet.

or in a cabinet-level position.

We should increase direct funding to states for art, music and dance classes in the public schools, so they can hire more teachers to bring these subjects to children starting in grammar school--not hire another fat-cat, limousine riding, administration official in an already-bloated government to prance around and "act busy." Screw the cheerleading--first I look at the purse. FUND IT, don't hire some asshole to TALK about it.

A lot of European democracies have "make work" jobs too. And we HAVE an NEA, so we aren't having to deal with the opinions of just one asshole representing "art" to our own nation and the world. Read all about 'em: http://www.nea.gov/

I just can't accept the concept of "Lee Greenwood, Minister of Culture," or "Marie Osmond, Secretary of Arts."

It's offensive.

[LisaM]

14. Some public art may be propoganda

But have you heard about some of the public arts projects during the 1930s? What about the Northwest School?

It's not just visual arts either, I imagine. Did you know that the original transcripts from the Salem Witchcraft Trials were transcribed as a WPA project? This, in turn, led to the first scholarly treatment of the subject by an author named Marion Starkey who wrote a book called, "The Devil in Massachusetts" - a book read with interest by Arthur Miller, who then wrote "The Crucible". That, in turn, helped bring about the end of McCarthyism.

I also can't agree that all public art is bad. Look at the Vietnam War Memorial.

[MADem]

17. Of course I have. I have/had relatives who benefitted from WPA.

Not all WPA projects were "art" either. Digging ditches, doing forestry work, or transcribing witch trials (or marriage records in Illinois, for that matter) are not "art." They're WORK.

That said, the art projects that the government funded were STILL propaganda. And did you know that the government CONSTRAINED some of those projects?

Keep the government AWAY from the arts. That's the best bet.

It's all very well and good when we agree with it. But picture the Bush Administration "Arts" Department in all its glory. It is an ugly thought.

[LisaM]

20. I think literature counts as art, and if transcribing public records leads to art

that's a good thing.

I do understand your point. But I think that government arts funding could, for example, extend to art and music programs in the schools.

[MADem]

21. I don't have a problem with lump sum grants to states for art programs.

But there the involvement of the government ends.

My beef is with the "Secretary of Art." And any "direction" about art or arts coming down from on high from Washington, DC.

We say, wow Quincy Jones...gee, he'd be COOOOOOL in that gig! Yay, swell!!!

But would we want to see eager guitar playing Mike Huckabee in that job? Or Ted Nugent? Is your skin crawling yet?

[LisaM]

22. I don't think Nugent would be pushing for it anyway

but I take your point that we don't want government interference or art as propaganda.

[1gobluedem]

10. K&R

Arts and culture are a $165 million industry in my area. Very, very important.

:kick:

[Cid_B]

11. Better things to spend money on....

Any idiot with a blowtorch and astigmatism .....

A whoopdeedoo award for anyone who knows that quote without google.




edited: added first google image that came up under modern art sculpture

http://photos.vequias.com/d/4581-2/Modern+Art+Sculpture.JPG


edit: x2 God damn typos

[Karenina]

24. WAY COOL SCULPTURE!

Would you be so kind to post where more info about it may be found? Reminds me of Mikado sticks and paper clips.

[Cid_B]

25. Google... modern art sculpture...

Its the first image that came up. To each his own I guess... :puke:

[Karenina]

27. Forgive me. Old Tante K. still has an interest in da yung'uns expressions.

I found the image but perhaps due to my lightweight skills, was unable to find the artist's name or any commentary on the work other than photographic specs. I find the piece compelling and am just curious what its creator was on about. So SHOOT ME! :patriot:

[Bluebear]

28. Great sculpture!! thanks for posting

Who is the artist?

[BREMPRO]

13. great idea! done

[Starry Messenger]

15. Absolutely!

Done! That would be great. Art is so undervalued in this country. :( It really is an asset to other areas of education as well as being important in its own right! Thank you for posting.

[EraOfResponsibility]

16. We already have a National Endowment for the Arts

I should know, I worked there.

[bigwillq]

18. Signed!

:bounce:

[MrCoffee]

26. A Cabinet-level Department of the Arts?

There are too many cabinet-level departments as it is.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

29. I vote for Aretha Franklin for first lady.

[Starry Messenger]

31. saturday kick!

[Uzybone]

32. How about a secretary of Sports/Athletics/Fitness?

We really do not need a secretary of the Arts. Please.

[bananas]

33. k&r nt

[Ex Lurker]

34. eliminate the military and the CIA, fund the arts n/t