Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
CAPITAL CULTURE: Obama drops cautious arts policy
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
CAPITAL CULTURE: Obama drops cautious arts policy
By BRETT ZONGKER,Associated Press Writer -
2 hours 47 minutes ago
Send
IM Story
Print
WASHINGTON – In his first year, President Barack Obama has marshaled the largest infusion of cultural funding in decades _ despite a few stumbles.
Though still far less than arts advocates contend is needed, they have high hopes this president could transform cultural policy, funding and arts education for years to come.
"I think and feel he's very much in the John F. Kennedy tradition _ he embodies the humanities, essentially," said Jim Leach, a former Republican congressman from Iowa whom Obama named chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities. "That doesn't mean a conservative leader can't also. Abraham Lincoln was a great conservative who embodied the humanities."
Across Washington, cultural leaders have taken note of Obama's approach. They're impressed with the variety of musical performances and workshops held at the White House this year, covering classical, jazz, Latin and country tunes.
There's also the $100 million in new funding for the arts, including a one-time $50 million infusion from the economic stimulus package to preserve arts jobs. There were sizable increases as well in the annual appropriations for the arts and humanities endowments. Both agencies will receive $167.5 million in 2010, their largest allocations in 16 years.
Arts supporters wanted more money, but they say the increases were significant and symbolic of Obama's commitment.
"It's still a relatively small amount of money _ a $12.5 million increase (for 2010) spread over 100,000 arts organizations," said Michael Kaiser, president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. "But symbolically, it was very important because so many state and local arts agencies are being cut by their state and local governments, so to have the federal government ... actually put more into arts, I think was very important."
Obama's efforts in the arts ran afoul of critics in August when a National Endowment for the Arts official asked artists to coordinate with the Corporation for Public Service on ways to help bolster Obama's public service agenda.
"I would encourage you to pick something, whether it's health care, education, the environment _ you know, there's four key areas that the corporation has identified as the areas of service," the NEA's Yosi Sergant told artists on the call. He was reassigned after the call became public and later left the agency.
Critics said it was an overreach at Obama's NEA, while supporters argued that the episode was overblown. Still, the White House issued an advisory for government agencies to avoid even the appearance of politics playing a role in federal grants.
At a dinner during last weekend's Kennedy Center Honors, Education Secretary Arne Duncan said improving arts education will be a key element of his proposed changes in former President George W. Bush's No Child Left Behind law. He said parents, teachers and students all have noticed a "narrowing of the curriculum."
"I'm convinced when students are engaged in the arts, graduation rates go up, dropout rates go down," Duncan said.
The Obamas presided over the Kennedy Center Honors, but they also have been frequent guests at Kennedy Center performances and at New York's museums and theaters.
"Both the president and the first lady have demonstrated an interest in the arts that is more active than most of their predecessors," said George Stevens Jr., who has produced the Kennedy Center Honors as a national celebration of the arts for the past 32 years. "They're young and connected to what's going on in the world, and a part of that is the performing arts."
Stevens has been enlisted to co-chair the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. The Obamas also have quietly recruited some of the biggest names in music, architecture, dance and show business to help guide arts initiatives. "Sex and the City" star Sarah Jessica Parker, acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and actors Forest Whitaker and Alfre Woodard are among 25 members appointed to the committee.
Other key arts appointments also have broken the mold.
At the NEA, which has been cautiously rebuilding since congressional conservatives slashed funding to less than $100 million in 1996, Obama appointed an outspoken Broadway producer, Rocco Landesman, as the nation's top arts official.
Landesman has said he would like to resume making grants to individual artists, a longtime practice targeted in the 1990s when conservatives said the NEA was supporting obscene art. He may hold off, though. The NEA's annual funding has yet to fully rebound to its high of nearly $176 million from 1992.
At the National Endowment for the Humanities, Obama chose Leach, who contends that inadequate consideration of Iraqi cultural issues may have contributed to the march to war in Iraq.
"To shortchange the humanities can be very expensive if you make mistakes based upon not factoring in cultural considerations to policy," he said.
Leach said arts and humanities programs are most essential in difficult times. As the nation is faced with two wars, a weak economy and a polarizing debate over health care, Leach is conducting a 50-state "civility tour" to promote respectful discourse. He also plans to promote better understanding of foreign cultures.
"I'd point out in a historical way that during the Great Depression we were spending vastly higher percentages of federal resources on the arts and humanities than we do today," he said. "The public coalesced around the notion that it was important to bring perspective to issues of the day."
In pressing to restore arts funding, the advocacy group Americans for the Arts has stressed the economic impact of the arts, totaling nearly 6 million nonprofit jobs among 100,000 organizations. That's up from just 7,000 nonprofit arts groups 50 years ago.
Federal grants helped fuel that growth, said Robert Lynch, president and chief executive of the lobbying group, by leveraging other public support and private funding for the arts. "It's been so successful over the past 50 years, it's good business sense for there to be a bigger investment," Lynch said.
Despite the increased funding this year, it's too soon to judge Obama's impact, he said.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Gates Afghan visit for Karzai, military talks AFP - 1 hour 13 minutes ago
Reports: Russian nightclub fire toll reaches 117 AP - 1 hour 15 minutes ago
With familiarity, Letterman jokes about Woods AP - 1 hour 28 minutes ago
Al-Qaeda claims kidnappings of three Europeans: TV AFP - 1 hour 32 minutes ago
Gates visits Afghanistan for Karzai, military talks AFP - 1 hour 53 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
UAE stock markets continue to tumble
Virgin offers travelers cheaper space tourism
Bernanke says recovery fragile, signals rates on hold
India, Russia sign deals on nuclear energy, defence
German industrial orders post surprise drop
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
UAE stock markets continue to tumble
'I'm A Celebrity' TV stars charged over rat risotto
Tiger's woes played for TV laughs in spoof
Virgin offers travelers cheaper space tourism
British Grand Prix saved
More Most Viewed »
Global stocks mixed amid Dubai debt crisis
Tiny magnetic discs could kill cancer cells: study
Alcohol helps cut heart disease risk for men: study
Mankind using Earth's resources at alarming rate
Dubai blackout over debt plans to hit Gulf markets
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Tuesday, 8 December 2009 Tens of thousands protest in Iran, battling police
EU agrees closer ties with Serbia
US-TECH Summary
UN urges Iraq to set election date 'as soon as possible'
India, Russia sign deals on nuclear energy, defence
Bombs kill 43 in Pakistan; amnesty case stirs tension
|
Russia mourns as blaze toll rises to 113
Iran protesters stage new demonstrations
EU set to end Microsoft dispute next week: sources
German industrial orders post surprise drop
Russia mourns as club fire victims are buried
|
Iran opposition renews protests, clashes with police
British Grand Prix saved
Phone thieves "targeting more live music gigs"
Gunmen kill seven soldiers in northern Turkey
Greek police fire teargas in second day of riots
|
Dubai stock market slumps
Pope, Irish Church to hold summit on child abuse
|
'I'm A Celebrity' TV stars charged over rat risotto
Somali police warn of more suicide bombings
|
Seven children killed by bomb at Baghdad school
Seven children killed by bomb at Baghdad school
|
Basescu wins Romanian election, rivals cry foul
|
Iran police clash with protesters in Tehran
U.N. court rejects Karadzic legitimacy challenge
|
Iraq VP election veto brings Sunnis limited gains
|
2 bombs kill 16 in eastern Pakistan city of Lahore
Chinese man still jailed 1 year after reform call
At least 15 dead as twin bombs hit Pakistan's Lahore: police
Senate confronts abortion in health care debate
Bombs kill 43 in Pakistan; amnesty case stirs tension
Famous Miranda rights warning could get rewrite
Delay in Barnes & Noble's Nook seen as setback
|
Obama sending envoy to communist North Korea
Suspect charged in killing of Pittsburgh-area cop
2 blasts rock eastern Pakistani city of Lahore
Ohio dismemberment killer arrives in death house
EBay and Craigslist square off in Delaware court
|
Winter Storm To Bring Strong Winds, Heavy Snowfall To Western U.S., Plains
Indian govt. under pressure over carbon pledge
U.S. regulators look at privacy of consumer data
|
Family vows to get US student Knox out of Italian jail
Philippine officials order 2,400 gunmen to disarm
EU set to end Microsoft dispute next week: sources
|
Yahoo Puts $60 Price Tag On Privacy
Drunken driving death rates decline in 40 states
Afghan government: Taliban commander killed
RIM announces Blackberry China distribution deal
|
Woman Flashes Breasts To Avoid Traffic Ticket And Ends Up Arrested
Drug, math research honored in youth competition
FDA Warns Texas Oysters Linked To Virus
Supreme Court weighs validity of anti-fraud law
China auto sales, output go over 12 million
Phone thieves targeting more live music gigs
|
Nation Marks 68th Anniversary Of Pearl Harbor
Chicago terrorism suspect charged in Mumbai attack
Woman Tries To Kill Mistress' Unborn Baby
Pentagon orders 16,000 troops to start surge
Trial Of Former Special Education Teacher Who Let Cats Starve To Begin On Monday
Pink Glove Dance Promotes Breast Cancer Awareness
Episcopal Diocese Of Los Angeles Elects First Openly Gay Bishop
Company Recalls Tainted Beef; Second Time This Year
Tata Group launches water purifier for the masses
GM names Tim Lee head of international operations
Mercedes wins new Shanghai stadium naming rights
Federer, Brad Pitt named in new edition of Who's Who
China's domestic demand, exports boost bid: media
PNG gas project to supply Japan's TEPCO: Exxon
Indonesia president fears plot amid protests
Estonia's Santas drop whips
Billy Joel's daughter out of hospital
|
New film "Oceans" gives fish-eye view of sea life
Seinfeld delivers masterful riffs on what bugs him
|
Star tenor Villazon to make comeback next March
Quaid announces system to prevent medicine errors
New film Oceans gives fish-eye view of sea life
|
British TV channel apologises over rat eating row
Federer, Brad Pitt named in new edition of Who's Who
Barenboim conducts 'Carmen' at La Scala
Monk finale sets cable ratings record
|
Paris Tour d'Argent auctions wine from famed cellar
Dust and whale skull in line for Turner Prize
Weezer singer hurt when bus skids off road in NY
Yahoo Puts $60 Price Tag On Privacy
Woman Flashes Breasts To Avoid Traffic Ticket And Ends Up Arrested
Woman Tries To Kill Mistress' Unborn Baby
Philippine Social Welfare Department Reports Substantial Drop In Human Organ Trafficking
Gates Afghan visit for Karzai, military talks
Google search getting eyes and ears
Virgin offers travelers cheaper space tourism
U.S. envoy in North Korea to push nuclear talks
|
Google search adds Twitter-Facebook-MySpace feeds
Bernanke says recovery fragile, signals rates on hold
New York Times not to sell Massachusetts newspaper
Suspected U.S. missile strike in Pakistan
|
Online news editor named to Pulitzer Prize Board
Officials recommend postponing Iraqi elections
Magnitude 5.9 quake hits Malawi after earlier tremors
|
MIT wins Pentagon prize in social networking contest
Baghdad calmer _ and quieter _ with club crackdown
China school stampede kills eight, injures 26
|
Netanyahu says Iranian leaders losing support
EBay and Craigslist square off in Delaware court
Bolivia's Morales says will deepen leftist reforms
|
Ex-president murder probe shakes Chile
|
Google CEO joins Twitter
Russia's Putin lambasts officials after disco fire
|
Delay in Barnes & Noble's Nook seen as setback
Seven children killed by bomb at Baghdad school
|
U.S. regulators look at privacy of consumer data
Taiwan party leader mum on presidential candidacy
Google revamps search with real-time results
|
Coroner: self-help course led to woman's suicide
Obama spokesman: 'Silly' not to allow Va. flagpole
US drone attack kills three in Pakistan: officials
Powerful snowstorm sweeps across West
Philippines, Muslim rebels resume peace talks
Police: Bonds' son arrested after arguing with mom
Pakistan market bombing toll hits 49
CAPITAL CULTURE: Obama drops cautious arts policy
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
'Family Ties' actor arrested after Colo. assault
Blasts in eastern Pakistan city kill up to 48
Hero pilot offers hat to help 2 Calif. schools
Amnesty calls for end to Philippine martial law
US says carbon shift is boost to Copenhagen
Gates to Afghans: US `in this thing to win'
Blasts in eastern Pakistan city kill 48
Doctor who attended JFK in Dallas has died
Anna Nicole Smith's doctors fight to keep licenses
Mel Gibson to make movie in Mexico prison: state governor
Seoul shares slip pressured by banks, commods
China Mobile, RIM to boost BlackBerry use in China
Japan to boost recovery with giant stimulus plan
Billy Joel's daughter out of hospital
|
Korea Hot Stocks
Australians welcome 'confession' on Timor killings
Nine makes awkward transition to screen
|
Pakistan
Roman Polanski, Sharon Tate nude sells for $11,250
|
Twilight studio working on Dracula remake
|
Japan unveils new $80.6 billion stimulus package
Weezer cancels December concerts after crash
|
Ex-manager of The Fray fires back over lawsuit
Seoul shares rangebound; banks, steelmakers weigh
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
VH1 drafts Basketball Wives docu-soap
|
Robin Williams to return for "Happy Feet" sequel
Japan ministers OK massive stimulus package: media
Robin Williams to return for Happy Feet sequel
|
Turning trash into treasure in Cairo
S.Korean bonds rebound on Bernanke's dovish view
Pearl Jam unveils 2010 European tour plans
|
English whisky comes of age
Seoul shares open lower; steel issues weigh
Wiig to host `SNL' Christmas special as Gilly
"Nine" makes awkward transition to screen
"Twilight" studio working on "Dracula" remake
VH1 drafts "Basketball Wives" docu-soap
'Family Ties' actor arrested after Colo. assault
Iran says will show no mercy to opposition protesters
Qaeda claims it has French, Spanish hostages
Samsung looks for software boost in smartphones
Haggling begins at UN climate talks
Gates tells Afghans U.S. not leaving yet
|
Tweet while you work, urges Australian report
Victoria Beckham's Dresses From Label Collection Stolen At Knife Point
Militants attack Pakistan spy agency office, 7 dead
|
Destiny's Child Members Settle Copyright Infringement Suit For "Cater 2 U" Song
Cyber crooks tarketing banks-social networks: Cisco
Car bombs rock Iraqi capital, 112 killed
Pete Doherty Busted In Germany For Allegedly Smashing Car Window
Iran says will show no mercy to opposition protesters
|
Baghdad blasts kill 127
EU urges Israel to share Jerusalem
|
John Stamos Named As Victim In A Failed Extortion Plot
Iran prosecutor warns Mousavi
"Family Ties" Youngest Star Brian Bonsall Arrested For Allegedly Hitting Friend With A Stool
Israel official: religious law must become binding
Iraq sets March 6 for poll after political wrangling
|
At Kennedy Awards, Obama Reveals Personal Touch Of Jazz In His Life
Kosovo independence was only option, U.S. says
|
Irish Balladeer Liam Clancy Dies At 74
22 killed and 60 wounded in Baghdad attacks: police
Deadly blast at a Somali graduation
|
West must gain Iran's trust for nuke deal: ministry
Domino's Pizza Pulls Ads From "Jersey Shore"
Ron Livingston Suing Hacker For False Wikipedia Info
Samsung looks for software boost in smartphones
Barbra Streisand Sued By Carpenter Over Ditch Fall
Coroner: Self-help course led to woman's suicide
Maoist rebels kill 2 soldiers in eastern India
India plans to try Chicago man for Mumbai attacks
UK makes online safety lessons for kids compulsory
|
Eikenberry says he supports Afghan strategy
Oscar insiders take their movie chat online
|
Supreme Court won't block 1st US 1-drug execution
Afghan gov't says NATO attack killed 6 civilians
Samsung looks for software boost in smartphones
|
China executes rogue trader, millions still missing
Obama talks jobs creation
Thai man jailed 7 years for spying in Cambodia
Obama to spell out new job-creating initiative
Tibetans protest over jailed monk in China
US plan for wild horse round-up faces opposition
Baucus girlfriend eyed US attorney post for years
Cambodian court convicts Thai man of spying
LA council to revisit medical marijuana ordinance
China deliveries fuel November sales rise: Audi
Indian car sales surge 61%: industry
Taiwan aims to avoid over-reliance on China market
PetroChina to double annual joint output by 2015
Pakistani o/n rates ease; stocks end lower
Output halved at key Kyrgyz power plant
India's vehicle sales surge 72 percent in Nov
Indonesia police on edge over anti-graft protest
Oscar insiders take their movie chat online
|
Taiwan dollar at 2-½ wk low after c.bank moves
New film revives memories of Mandela's rugby moment
FACTBOX-S.Korean policymakers' comments on economy, policy
IMF says S.Korea has room to raise interest rates
Roman Polanski, Sharon Tate nude sells for $11,250
'Walking with Dinosaurs' robot stolen in Mexico
With familiarity, Letterman jokes about Woods
MIT Team Wins $40,000 In DoD Balloon Search Contest
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights