Author: Wyszomirski, Margaret Jane

Publication Year: 1981

Media Type: Book

Summary:

First, the author briefly describes the history of American attitudes towards the arts which have led to the current elitist-populist debate. Then, she more fully defines the claims and criticisms of both the elitist and the populist position. Next, she recounts the New York State Council on the Arts' and the National Endowment for the Arts' attempts to reconcile these two diverging positions within their policies in a time of federal budgetary restraint and the difficulties therein created. Finally, she discusses the concept of politization of the arts and some current conflicts in this area.

Abstract:

First, the author briefly describes the history of American attitudes towards the arts which have led to the current elitist-populist debate. Then, she more fully defines the claims and criticisms of both the elitist and the populist position. Next, she recounts the New York State Council on the Arts' and the National Endowment for the Arts' attempts to reconcile these two diverging positions within their policies in a time of federal budgetary restraint and the difficulties therein created. Finally, she discusses the concept of politization of the arts and some current conflicts in this area.

As [the author] presents the case, the debate centers on three major themes:

1. a fundamental ambivalence over whether government should be in the business of supporting culture with public funds;
2. the elitist-populist controversy over how support should be distributed; and
3. the myth that public policy for the arts is apolitical.

Drawing on her experience as a former Fellow at the Arts Endowment and as a political scientist, [the author] presents the contemporary arguments and offers a social scientist's perspective on the debate and the probable manner of its resolution. (General introduction, p. 2).

CONTENTS
The elitist-populist debate.
The politicization of the arts.

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Community Development