arts secretary history, petition up to 170,000
We recently discovered that the push for a secretary of the arts dates back to 1933, during the Great Depression, just a month after Quincy’s birth.
Peter Weitzner is the New York-based bass player who passed on a podcast of Q’s interview on WNYC’s Soundcheck to fellow bass player Jaime Austria, which inspired Austria to start the petition for the secretary of arts. Now Weitzner has dug up a clip from The New York Times, published on April 28, 1933, which gives the current drive for a secretary of arts some fascinating historical perspective.
The brief news story, headlined “NEW CABINET POST URGED,” states “a proposal that the Federal Government provide for a Secretary of Fine Arts in the President’s Cabinet was favorably received last night at the annual meeting of the Fine Arts Federation of New York.”
It goes on to report that the proposal was made by Joseph H. Freedlander, architect and president of the Federation, who was optimistic that Franklin Delano Roosevelt would create such a department in his government reorganization because the President “speaks our own language.’”
Fast forward nearly 76 years and America is facing its toughest economic period since the Great Depression. With inauguration of President Barack Obama yesterday (January 20), many Americans feel that we once again have a President that “speaks our own language.”
As of this writing, the petition calling for Obama to hear Quincy’s plea for a secretary of arts post is approaching 170,000 signees. We’re hoping that Obama hears the call.
You can view the headline from the news story from 1933 here, but you have to pay a fee to download the entire piece from The New York Times archives.
As an international theatre artist, working in tandem with the French Ministry of Culture, on the U.S. Koltès Project, I certainly support the creation of a governmental advocate for arts and culture in this great country. Are we Americans only expected to lead in science and commerce? Is not the refining of the human condition (man’s soul, mind, shared humanity – how we deal with the ‘Other’) as important as a big bank account, car, or house? These sorts of issues could be addressed by an advocate for the arts that has direct access to the President. As I work in Europe a great deal, I am always amazed at how vital and necessary the arts and culture are to the people. Conversely, I am saddened that here in our great country the arts are not necessary, in fact, they are irrelevant, to a large degree. Let us change that. President Obama, your call for change has made me feel like an American for the first time in my life; I ask you, please create the office of the Secretary of the Arts.
The arts keep humanity human. Our ability to cry,laugh,jump for joy,have compassion,hold on to dreams and act without thoughts of differences is the testimony of the artistic experience.
Now is the moment, to openly declare the arts to have governmental right, to as important as the Secretary of Defense,etc.
The arts keep humanity human. Our ability to cry,laugh,jump for joy,have compassion,hold on to dreams and act without thoughts of differences, is the testimony of the artistic experience.
Now is the moment, to openly declare that arts have governmental rights, as important as the Secretary of Defense,etc.
Not too long ago,Dr.Martin Luther King’s birthday was made a national holiday…by the demands of the masses. With focused attention on the Obama administration, we can get needed respect for American contributions to the world arts’ stage and for the craft itself.I am overjoyed to assist in getting this petition for a U.S.Cabinet position of Secretary of Arts,signed by as many as possible. I’m proud to actively want to join another movement to make America a better place for all of us. Join in. Yes we can.
Dear Mr. “Q”
You’ve gotten my supported petition to become the embassador of arts and music director for the Obama team and I believe that one day we will sit down and meet.
Perry J.