Rocco Landesman interview

Read an interesting NY Times interview today featuring the newly-appointed chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, Rocco Landesman. An obviously ambitious person, Landesman plans to change the agency’s motto and activity, in part by underscoring the economic importance of artists and artistic activity in America. Said Landesman, “Someone who works in the arts is every bit as gainfully employed as someone who works in an auto plant or a steel mill. We’re going to make the point till people are tired of hearing it.” I wonder if he’ll be able to communicate that point in a convincing and compelling way to our nation’s decision-makers. I must say, for a nation with a population of over 300 million, an agency budget of $155 million does seem slim, if not “pathetic” as Landesman put it. Ultimately, art is not created for economic stimulus, or at least that’s not its greatest value to society. But it makes sense that economic impact appears to be a major agenda item for Landesman. How would our cultural landscape change if our leaders came to share Landesman’s belief that the arts have a major role to play in America’s economic recovery?

The NEA has a generally divisive reputation with diverse public opinion on the role of the arts in America further polarized by the agency’s past support of offensive artistic projects. What’s your general perception of the agency? Did you know that they recently joined with the Oregon Bach Festival in sponsoring a commission for a major new “Messiah” oratorio with texts taken entirely from the King James Bible?

August 17, 2009 | Filed Under Interviews, Culture | 1 Comment