certain areas of the arts. Gov. Nelson Rockefellor has requested the legislature to appropriate this year $450,000 for its use. If granted, the council would no longer be merely an advisory body. Most of the projects proposed would benefit residents upstate, as they should. All grants would be to nonprofit undertakings. The performing arts would receive about 90 percent of the total. The vote on appropriations wil be taken toward the end of March. Citizens of New York State are urged to write at once in support of this appropriation to Assemblyman Fred W. Preller, chairman, assembly ways and means committee, and to Senator Austin W. Erwin, chairman, senate ways and means committee. Address both State Capitol, Albany 1, N.Y. FEDERAL AND STATE POLICIES RE THE ARTS As a result of our observations during the past 6 years of the selection and the administration of governmental art advisory bodies, attention should be drawn to a few conclusions. Members of such bodies should be persons of professional competence in the field they represent and willing to devote a fair amount of time to the task. The temptation to select persons for "window dressing" or for political affiliations should be resisted. The carrying out of decisions should not be left to the staff director, particularly if those decisions run counter to current administration policy in any way. Recommendations of a governmental advisory body should be "in the public domain" and made available to interested organizations or citizens. All forms of direct or indirect censorship of the arts should be resolutely opposed. One form of governmental controls is, for other reasons than censorship, being fairly widely discussed, particularly in the dance field. Therefore, the NCAG unanimously adopted the following resolution on February 16, 1961: "Resolution re licensing teachers of the arts. "Recognizing the desirability of spreading greater knowledge about higher standards of teaching of the arts and to prevent immature or incompetent persons from teaching any field of art, the National Council on the Arts and Government nevertheless is emphatically opposed to obligatory licensing of teachers and of the arts, with the exception of teachers who are a part of a State's public school or college educational system. The licensing of private or independent artists in any field is an unwarranted infringement upon the essential freedom of the arts. To set State-regulated standards to qualify private or independent teachers of the arts, even under the most favorable system, would involve governmental controls over esthetic matters which should not be tolerated in a free country. Such requirements would tend to enforce mediocrity and inevitably become a serious threat to the development of the arts in our country. Furthermore, licensing per se would in no way prevent fraudulent advertising or misleading promises, or protect the public. There are existing laws for such abuses. Therefore, the National Council urges all professional organizations concerned with the arts to take a strong stand against legislation which would require the licensing of private or independent teachers in any field of the arts." CONCLUSION New frontiers in the relationship of government to the arts in the United States seem to be close at hand. Will this tardy dawn become a new day or fade away like a mirage? Now more than ever is the time to act individually and collectively, promptly, and vigorously. A similarly favorable situation may not recur in a decade. This report is issued by the NCAG to provide the necessary accurate, up-to-date information for immediate and effective action. Respectfully submitted. HAROLD WESTON, Chairman. The substance of this report was unanimously approved by the NCAG on February 16, 1961. The contents of this report may be used as desired, with or without reference to source. A limited number of copies (not over 50 per request) may be obtained at 15 cents per copy (in stamps or checks). The NCAG depends upon voluntary contributions from organizations and individuals. It pays no salaries. Our reports have been mailed free to anyone requesting a copy and we hope to continue that policy. The demand is increasing beyond the limits of our slim budget. If you have found this report useful to you or to your organization, a contribution will be very much appreciated. Checks (not tax deductible) should be made out to the National Council on the Arts and Government, 22 West 54th Street, New York 19, N.Y. INFORMATION ABOUT THE NCAG The National Council on the Arts and Government, established in 1954, is the first national organization in the United States to include representatives of all major art fields and to be concerned primarily with governmental activities and legislation related to the arts. The NCAG is entirely nonpolitical and nonpartisan. Members (limited to 50) are elected for their knowledge of one or more fields of art and may also represent organizations. The Council's purposes are to consider governmental activities, both legislative and administrative, concerned with the arts on the Federal, State or municipal levels, to assist in strengthening and improving such activities and legislation therefor, and to act to the fullest extent of its limited facilities as a source for information about such matters for organizations and individuals interested in the arts. REQUEST FOR GRANT FOR PROPOSED NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE ARTS AND GOVERNMENT Applicant.-The National Council on the Arts and Government, 22 West 54th Street, New York 19, N.Y. Recipient of grant.-Columbia University has generously offered to be host to a National Conference on the Arts and Government, provided it receives the necessary funds in sufficient time for this conference to be properly organized. Date of conference.-June 1962 after commencement and before summer school begins. Need for conference.-There is increasing recognition in the United States that Government has a responsibility toward the development and appreciation of the arts. Demonstrations overseas under Federal sponsorship of our artistic achievements, which have enhanced the cultural status of our country abroad, have led to a growing awareness that the arts are a vital factor in the welfare of our own Nation. Assessment of the relationship of Government to the arts in the United States and suggestions leading to sound future policy have become a matter of urgency. The proposed conference and subsequent publication of a comprehensive report would stimulate interest and discussion throughout the country among those with firm opinions-favorable or unfavorable to Government aid for the arts-as well as those who are uncommitted. As workdays shorten and life expectancy lengthens the arts will play an ever more important role in the lives of our citizens. It is not excessive therefore to suggest that this conference could well become a turning point in American cultural life. Purpose of conference.-The broad purposes of the conference will be 1. To clarify the issues concerning the arts and Government at the Federal, State, and community levels; 2. To examine various undertakings by Government for the arts both here and abroad, together with their successes, shortcomings, and dangers; 3. To present and discuss proposals for augmented cooperation between Government and private initiative to advance the arts and their appreciation in the United States; 4. To inform and involve professionals in the arts, individuals generally interested in the arts, Government officials in positions of responsibility relative to the arts, and legislators, to the end that intelligent and constructive direction will be taken for the benefit of the artists and the public. While opposing points of view will be represented and specific legislation discussed or promoted by some individuals, it does not seem appropriate for this conference to reach any collective decisions and certainly not to advance any particular legislative measures. The study sessions should lead to assessment of the situation in various art fields and stimulate proposals leading to improved conditions whether with or without governmental cooperation. The subject is a complex one which needs precisely the kind of public forum which this conference would provide. Program of conference.-The tentative program for the conference is outlined on attached document A. The speakers at major sessions should be national figures drawn from the fields of the arts, Government, education, and industry. Leaders in the discussions should include outstanding artists, Government administrators, legislators, experts in political science and other disciplines related to art and Government. Effort will be made to secure geographical representation in the selection of participants. Registrants.—Attendance at the entire conference will be by invitation only, although four plenary sessions will be open to the public. There are several hundred organizations, National, State, or local, interested in the arts. These vary in size from the National Federation of Music Clubs (with 600,000 members and chapters in every State) to small professional art societies and community art centers, many of them very active. It may be best to handle the selection of registrants largely through organizations, educational institutions, and governmental bodies. Place will be reserved for artists, patrons of the arts, and other interested individuals who may not be associated with organizations or institutions. Officials of Federal departments or agencies, who have duties connected with the arts but who are not asked to take an active part in the conference, will be invited to attend as guests of the NCAG. Direcion of conference.-The conference will be sponsored by the National Council on the Arts and Government. A brief summary of its organization and principles is submitted on attached document B. A list of its present members, with notation of the field of art or the organization they represent, is on attached document C. The NCAG will create a National Conference Planning Committee, composed of members of the NCAG, representatives from Columbia University, and other individuals who, by their accomplishments, stature, or connections with national organizations or educational institutions, will contribute to the effectiveness of the conference. This committee will be responsible for planning and conducting the conference, and will engage a conference coordinator. The coordinator, with the advice and consent of the committee, will employ secretarial assistance and make all arrangements for the conference, exclusive of the subsequent publication. An honorary committee for the conference is planned composed of distinguished citizens and officials. Publicity.—Advance information will be distributed to potential registrants primarily through organizations, institutions, and branches of government. General public knowledge of the conference will be through magazine and press articles, TV and radio networks, etc. National and local coverage during the conference will be encouraged. Paid advertising is not anticipated. Subsequent publication. The publication of a comprehensive report is considered an integral part of this conference. A conference editorial committee will be appointed by the NCAG. This committee will engage a conference report editor and an assistant. The editor, in consultation with the committee, will select the material, condense major addresses where necessary, edit study session reports, and carry out all tasks preliminary to publication. The president and director of the Columbia University Press has expressed "strong interest in the publication possibilities of the symposium on the arts and Government which the National Council on the Arts and Government plans to hold here at Columbia next June. I hope that we may be able to work with you." The budget figures for this publication and other printing in preparation for the conference were reached in consultation with Columbia University Press. The purchase cost of 1,500 copies includes distribution to all registrants, participants invited by the NCAG, prominent Government officials, and review copies. Columbia University Press will handle sale of the report to the public, libraries, etc. Financing conference.-Columbia University, upon receipt of the necessary funds, will authorize the National Council on the Arts and Government to act as administering agency for the conference. Columbia has offered to provide auditoriums, meeting rooms, office space, and accounting services without charge, and also to make available rooms in residence halls at very reasonable rates for registrants. This generous offer will not only reduce the amount required, but also will encourage attendance from other parts of the country. The budget (see attached document D) has been prepared as realistically and prudently as possible. Grants to Columbia University totaling $30,500 by June 1961 are required to enable this conference to be held in June 1962. The NCAG will be glad, if so requested, to supply any further information that may be desired. NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE ARTS AND GOVERNMENT, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Plenary session open to the public (recorded for network): "The Place of the Arts in Government" Opening address by representative of Columbia University. Contrast of European and British systems of support for the arts. The traditional American system of private initiative. Federal and State responsibilities relative to the arts in the United States. 2:30-5 p.m.: Plenary session not open to the public: "Common Interests of the Arts in Relation to Government" Prominent speakers will cover the following: (a) Philosophic and esthetic principles. (b) Cooperation at the national level. (c) Practical experience in a community. 6-7 p.m.: Reception at the Mens' Faculty Club. NCAG Hospitality Committee will arrange for eminent persons in the arts to be present. 8:30-10:45 p.m.: Plenary session open to the public (national network): "The Arts and the Public Interest" Titles of addresses are merely suggestive: "The Arts and International Relations." SECOND DAY 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Study sessions not open to public. A committee is to be formed for each study group. It will select a chairman, recording secretary, and panel of three or four persons to lead initial discussions. It will prepare for circulation in advance major issues to be considered with reference list of legislative measures enacted or pending. Registrants will be asked to sign up for field of interest. 1. Architecture and allied arts (as related to architecture). 2. Dance. 3. Drama. 3. Literature. 5. Mass media. 6. Music. 7. Painting, sculpture, graphic arts, and crafts. 8. Community art centers and arts councils. 2:30-5:30 p.m.: Continuation of study group sessions not open to public: Afternoon sessions will be largely free discussions of those areas of greatest interest to that group with some effort by chairman to obtain consensus of opinion on controversial issues but no attempt to endorse specific legislation. THIRD DAY 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Plenary session not open to public: "Reports of study sessions, recommendations and discussion" Reports by the eight chairmen might be divided into sections which cover: (a) Overall specific needs of that art field or subject. (b) Areas in which Federal cooperation is needed. (c) Areas in which State cooperation is desirable. (d) Areas in which municipal or local government could be helpful, stressing methods that have proved most successful which could provide a pattern of procedure. Questions from the floor in writing will be answered after conclusion of rets and priority will be given to those of broadest interest to the registrants. 2:30-5:30 p.m.: Plenary session open to the public (recorded for network): "Federal legislation relative to the arts" Sponsors of major Federal legislation from both parties will discuss the responsibility of Congress in cooperation with private initiative to increase public participation in and appreciation of the arts. The last hour will be reserved for questions from the floor in writing. 8:30-10:45 p.m.: Plenary session open to the public (national network): "The future of Government and the arts in the United States" Two speakers of national stature, one to summarize the work of the conference relating to the future particularly, the other to make the closing address of the conference. DOCUMENT B INFORMATION ABOUT THE NCAG The National Council on the Arts and Government, established in 1954, is the first national organization in the United States to include representatives of the seven major fields of art and to be concerned primarily with governmental activities and legislation related to the arts. It is entirely nonpolitical and nonpartisan. Members (limited to 50) are elected for their knowledge of one of more fields of art and may also represent organizations. The Council's purposes are to consider governmental activities, both legislative and administrative, concerned with the arts on the Federal, State, or municipal levels, to assist in strengthening and improving such activities, and to promote sound legislation affecting the arts. Some of the Council's governing principles are: "In view of the increasing importance of the arts in our national life, we believe that they deserve adequate recognition by the Federal Government of the United States, by the States, and by municipalities." "Since the arts are universal languages leading to greater understanding among nations, we believe that they should be fully utilized in international cultural exchanges." "We believe that all governmental art activities should respect and upheld freedom of artistic expression." "We believe that the Federal Government, the States and the municipalities, in their activities connected with the arts, should draw upon the best professional knowledge and judgment; that any advisory bodies for the arts should be professional rather than political; and that the various fields of the arts should be represented on such bodies relating to their field and should have a voice in nominating the members of such bodies." NATIONAL COUNCIL ON THE ARTS AND GOVERNMENT Richard F. Bach, representative of American Institute of Design. Mrs. C. Arthur Bullock, president, National Federal of Music Clubs. Dr. Oscard J. Campbell, educator, former administrator arts center program of Columbia University. Henry Seidel Canby, author, editor. Charles Collingwood, commentator. Norman Dello Joio, composer. Rene d'Harnoncourt, director, Museum of Modern Art, New York. Lamar Dodd, painter, head, Department of Art, University of Georgia. |