Rocco Landesman, NEA’s Chairman
Last night I sent a series of questions to the Sally Gifford, Victoria Hutter (press spokespersons) and Yosi Sergant (former spokesperson) of the National Endowment for the Arts, asking (among other things) to what post at the agency Yosi has now been reassigned and why that change was made.
I also asked to be told who made the decision to change his assignment, who had originally appointed him to his former post as NEA’s communications director, and when he assumed that post. My own first communication from him in his federal position was dated July 13, when he described himself as “newly appointed.” Rocco Landesman was confirmed as NEA’s new chairman more than three weeks later, on Aug. 7.
I received this reply to my detailed queries from Gifford, NEA’s “communications specialist” (who did confirm that Sergant is “still an employee at the NEA”):
We cannot comment further at this time.
This must mean, among other things, that Sergant’s current title as a public servant is classified information. (At this writing, he’s still listed on NEA’s website as its director of communications.) I think someone needs to provide more transparency about what’s been going on lately at an agency that, last I heard, is not engaged in top-secret missions.
Gifford also sent me the following prepared statement (already quoted elsewhere) about the agency’s now controversial involvement in “United We Serve” conference calls:
On Aug. 10, the National Endowment for the Arts participated in a call with arts organizations to inform them of the President’s call to national service. The White House Office of Public Engagement also participated in the call, which provided information on how the Corporation for National and Community Service can assist groups interested in sponsoring service projects or having their members volunteer on other projects.
This call was not a means to promote any legislative agenda and any suggestions [my link, not theirs] to that end are simply false. The NEA regularly does outreach to various organizations to inform them of the work we are doing and the resources available to them.
Sergant, I believe, made a foolish mistake in his zeal to serve the man whom he helped get elected. It’s not as big a crime as conservative commentators are trying to make it out to be. But the NEA shouldn’t compound his mistake with a cover-up about what action it has now taken and why. It should also publicly explain its relationship, or lack thereof, with United We Serve and the White House Office of Public Engagement.
Kalpen Modi‘s job as arts liaison in that office should be to facilitate, coordinate and promote the activities of the various arts-related federal agencies, for their mutual benefit. It shouldn’t be to dictate or direct their policies and programs to benefit the President’s agenda, however laudable his goals may be.
I think it’s time for Rocco Landesman to take charge of this mini-crisis, before it spirals out of control.