2009-12-22

Despite Occasional Stumbles, Arts Policy Advancing under Obama

"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 traditionhe 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."

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Associated Press, 12/7/09