Left to right, at Kennedy Center Honors: Mel Brooks, Bruce Springsteen, Michelle Obama, President Obama, Vice President Joseph R. Biden (not pictured: honorees Dave Brubeck, Grace Bumbry, Robert De Niro)
Pool photograph by Martin H. Simon
You already know what I think of Rocco Landesman‘s new slogan for the National Endowment for the Arts. I was reminded of what a dud it is when Bill McGlaughlin, the host of one of my favorite classical music radio programs, Exploring Music, changed the signoff for his show.
He had anachronistically continued saying that his program was supported by the NEA, “which believes that ‘A Great Nation Deserves Great Art.'” Someone must have finally informed Bill that the NEA no longer believes that. Its current mantra is: “Art Works.”
Can you imagine McGlaughlin’s signing off by saying, “This program is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that “Art Works”? Neither could he. So now he just says that his show is supported by the NEA.
I’ve been trying to think up a better slogan, but (like Rocco) I’m no advertising whiz. (“Art Inspires”? Too sappy.) So I had a eureka moment when I read President Obama‘s introductory remarks this evening at the Kennedy Center Honorees reception:
Let’s never forget that art strengthens America [emphasis added]. And that’s why we’re making sure that America strengthens its arts. It’s why we’re reenergizing the National Endowment of the Arts. That’s why we’re helping to sustain jobs in arts communities across the country. It’s why we’re supporting arts education in our schools, and why Michelle and I have hosted students here at the White House to experience the best of American poetry and music.
Art Strengthens America! Is there any artist, Congressman or radio program host who can’t relate to that? Rocco, do you copy?
UPDATE: The President’s full remarks at the reception are now online here.