Secretary of the Arts & Grammys update
The Secretary of the Arts Petition has received 5,000 signatures over the weekend, setting the total signature count at an astounding 231,198. You can sign the petition here or view the petition here.
Quincy’s hopes for the creation of the Secretary of the Arts position were reinforced yesterday by Neil Portnow, the President/CEO of the Recording Academy in Neil Portnow’s 51st GRAMMYs Telecast Remarks. He hopes that President Obama- who is a two-time Grammy recipient-will support the creation of The Secretary of the Arts position during his presidency. Neil specifically mentions:
“You know in these challenging and complex times, people turn to our creative community for everything from plain entertainment and escape, to deep inspiration and hope.”
He stresses that the Arts deserve enduring support, which is why it is so crucial to bring on a Secretary of the Arts to preserve America’s source for inspiration, hope and entertainment. Neil made a direct request for the creation of the position in his GRAMMYs telecast to President Obama:
“And to our new president, we have a request: Our finest national treasure is our culture and the arts. It’s also one of our most embraced and economically significant exports all around the world.”
Quincy attended the GRAMMYs among industry friends, noted by Roger Freidman’s Grammy Night: Hits and Hitting:
“And around the room there were plenty of record company legends, from Berry Gordy to Seymour Stein to producer Phil Ramone…Quincy Jones held court and cracked wise, while a pregnant Kimora Lee Simmons proudly arrived with actor boyfriend Djimon Honsou.”
I was active in supporting Obama in his campaign & now continue as a member of our local ‘Organizing for America’. I am heading a steering committee for the Cultural Arts gathering support in our local community to encourage the cabinet post: Secretary of the Arts. I am thrilled to be working directly with Jaime Austria, author of the petition, who has given me much encouragement & information.
For over 25 yrs I worked as a music therapist, musician (jazz/vocal-an American art form), actor, dancer & educator. I have seen when no common ground existed or ability to communicate, barriers were broken & connection was made between people through artistic experience: what a persuasive peacemaking global tool. The range of improvements using the cultural arts has long been proven in prisons, oppressed communities, education, healthcare, and the list goes on.
To some, it may seem like a less important issue compared to other larger pressing concerns. How often during hardship, the first thing to be set aside is the arts, when they are at the heart of what enriches & benefits our soul during times like these. The arts are a direct expression of the wellness of a culture & a nation.
I applaud you, Quincy, and will do what I can to make this post, Secretary of the Arts, a reality. This country needs a stimulus package….how about stimulating our inner package. That is where it really starts.
Respectfully,
Terri Cafazzo
Prescott AZ
Organizing for America
Cultural Arts Steering Committee
Formerly Prescott for Obama
The production of the culture roots map of a great musician.
The artist who was a weak viewpoint warms.
Roots culture becomes industrial.
The employment increases, too.
When president sir. Obama pours a fund into this, the American Continent and the African Continent adhere again.
The Renaissance of the human culture.
Dear Mr. Jones,
As Mayor of Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Vice Chair for Entertainment of the US Conference of Mayors Committee on Tourism, Arts, Parks, Entertainnment and Sports, I would like to find out how the US Conference of Mayors can join with you to push for a Secretary of Arts and Culture. The US Conference of Mayors has adopted a resolution supporting such a measure and we are hopeful our new President will support such a measure.
I would love to communicate with you further about this.
Sincerely,
Elaine Walker, Mayor
Bowling Green, Kentucky
270-792-6951
Dear Mr. “Q”
In elementary school we had to take a course called “Musical Appreciation” and over the years I’ve learned to become appreciative of other forms and styles of music outside of my own, both, nationally and internationally with musical diversity. Because as August Wilson once said “We all come from the same tradition, the same background; and we all have alot in common.”
Kindly Yours,
Perry Jackson
Dear Celebrity Guests,
I hope the momentum picks up to that point, whereby, President Obama says: “YES WE WILL” have Mr. Quincy Jones as our Secretary of Arts & Music.
Sincerely Yours,
Perry J.
Unfortunately there are too many artless, cultureless people in positions of influence. There very nature is aggressive and boorish and very loud. It will take many soft spoken voices with the volume turned up to drown them out.
Dr. Micael Lococo, DDS Pres of Silver Mist Productions Niagara.
I have utmost respect for Quincy Jones as a brilliant artist, but I can’t stand behind this cause. What business does government have in regulating the arts? If government were to subsidize art programs, what would happen to free artistic expression? Do you truly have faith in government bureaucrats to support all art programs equally in a fair and unbiased manner? How about art which radically challenges or undermines authority of the government status quo? Who would dare challenge the government if it meant their funding would be cut? Should students be brainwashed into avoiding controversial art? One final question… How do you define what art is or isn’t, and should government be given the right and responsibility to answer this question?