A one-minute video (above) of the National Endowment for the Arts’ new chairman is now posted on the agency’s website, along with the transcript. Here’s what he says:
Hello, I am Rocco Landesman. I am honored to serve the country in my
new role as Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. The Arts
Endowment is dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts, both new
and established; bringing the arts to all Americans; and providing
leadership in arts education.We’re at an exciting time in our nation’s history. Now, more than
ever, the arts matter in America. The arts are central to our nation’s
civic, economic, and cultural vitality. The arts reflect who we are
and what we stand for—freedom of expression, imagination, and vision.Arts education is indispensible to raising America’s next generation
of creative, innovative thinkers. We will continue to work with our
partners to help bring quality arts programs to neighborhoods and
communities across the country. I look forward to a new conversation on the arts in America….
…and, especially, in Peoria. This press release arrived on Friday from ArtsPartners of Central Illinois:
On Tuesday, his first official day on the job as chairman, he [Landesman] phoned Peoria. “He has graciously accepted our offer [to explore the town’s cultural scene] and has even suggested that he could include a seminar with his visit,” [Suzette] Boulais [ArtsPartners’ executive director] said. “His comments indicated that he didn’t know about theater in Peoria, so our first focus was to let him know we had theater and then some!…We will be settling on a date soon. When Rocco does come for a visit, his plan is to take in some local theater, do an in-service for our arts community and meet with area legislators.”
For a dissent from Peoria euphoria, see the PeoriaStory blog, where Elaine Hopkins writes that when he visits, Landesman will discover “a mediocre theater scene. Locals try, but can’t match Chicago quality.”
Will his upcoming Midwestern sojourn overcome Landesman’s big-city bias (if any), or merely confirm it? It’s too bad he missed the “old-fashioned grape stomp at Kickapoo Creek Winery on Sunday.” You won’t find THAT on Broadway!
One indication of how Landesman is playing in Peoria: I searched for his name in the Peoria StarJournal, the town’s newspaper. Results: 0.