Author: Scott, Mel

Publication Year: 1970

Media Type: Book

Summary:

The author examines the federal - state developments in the arts during the 1960's. In particular, the author examines this relationship in California and New York. In 1965, when Congress provided for federal support of the arts by adopting The National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act, many writers and critics, and even some congressmen and senators, believed that the had reached a great watershed in its cultural development. The rapid formation of official state arts councils and commissions in the next two years, and the emergence of a federal-state partnership in the arts further encouraged this sanguine view. But neither the Congress nor the state legislatures have subsequently increased appropriations for arts agencies to the extent originally expected, and governmental support of creative expression in the United States is still far below that of Great Britain, Canada, The Netherlands, and many other foreign countries.

Abstract:

The author examines the federal - state developments in the arts during the 1960's. In particular, the author examines this relationship in California and New York. In 1965, when Congress provided for federal support of the arts by adopting The National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act, many writers and critics, and even some congressmen and senators, believed that the had reached a great watershed in its cultural development. The rapid formation of official state arts councils and commissions in the next two years, and the emergence of a federal-state partnership in the arts further encouraged this sanguine view. But neither the Congress nor the state legislatures have subsequently increased appropriations for arts agencies to the extent originally expected, and governmental support of creative expression in the United States is still far below that of Great Britain, Canada, The Netherlands, and many other foreign countries.

Were the proponents of federal and state financial support of the arts too optimistic? Or are our national and state legislators out of step with the public in their attitude toward the arts? Has the federal-state partnership not demonstrated its usefulness and shown capacity for growth? Or is the partnership handicapped by the public's lack of knowledge and consequent failure to recognize its accomplishments? These are some of the questions that seemed pertinent to this review of federal-state developments in the arts in the 1960's. (Very few annual reports later than 1968-1969 were examined for this study). Special attention was also given to the state agencies in the two most populous commonwealths, California and New York. To illuminate the performance of these two agencies, it was of course necessary to indicate the range of activities undertaken by similar organizations in many other states. Although a much more extensive presentation of the programs of these official bodies could be offered, perhaps there is enough here to help readers judge for themselves whether the federal-state partnership is making significant contributions to American cultural life, and whether it merits increased financial support. Even more to the point, this report may enable Californians to decide what actions should be taken to strengthen the arts in their own state. (p. xiii-xiv)

CONTENTS
Chapter 1. The emergence of a federal-state partnership in the arts.

Crisis in the arts: state leadership and federal interest.
A statement of California policy.
The Heckscher recommendations.
A record of deprivation.
The partnership principle, and the missing partner.
The use of New York State funds.
Congressional authorization for a National Council on the Arts.
Permanent status for the New York State Council.
A new national foundation.
Pairing the arts with humanities.
The authorized funds.
The appropriations.
Conditions of federal aid.
The creation of state arts agencies.
Attitudes toward the arts.
A prophetic fiscal victory.
The evidence of long-term needs.
Increasing the visibility of state arts agencies.

Chapter 2. The New York State Council on the Arts: model for other states.

Innovation and development.
The diversity of programs.
Program development.
Avoiding the dangers of success.
New York State awards.
Innovative film projects.
Conferences.
State laws affecting the arts.
The ghetto arts program.
Educational aspects of the New York program.
The necessity of taking risks.
Stability and continuity.
Setting precedents in the arts.

3. The California Arts Commission: an agency in the-making.

A statewide survey of the arts.
The Commission's survey report, 1966.
The New York example.
New Jersey and California: differences and similarities.
Deficiencies and criticisms.
Proposed remedies.
The California story: accomplishments on restricted budgets.
The seed-money syndrome.
Conferences and community arts councils.
Association of California symphony.
Orchestras.
Exhibitions.
A modular touring system.
The Commission's influence.
A critique: Cautious policies and limited goals.
Budgets and top management.
Modest programs for minorities.
The restraints of low budget.
The need for more support.
Harsh realities.
Financial realism in New York.
Ample budgets: An imperative goal.
The unfortunate elitist image.
California as a cultural center?

Chapter 4. Programs of state arts Councils across the nation.

Alaska: The arts in faraway places.
West Virginia: the discovery of a cultural heritage.
Educational institutions and the arts in rural areas.
Cooperative programs in California.
The Iowa pattern.
Nebraska and the collegium musicum.
Programs in Maine.
North Carolina: educating teachers through seminars, workshops, and study tours.
Missouri: free visual arts exhibitions.
Pennsylvania: local and regional arts festivals.
State awards for excellence in the arts.
South Carolina: grants for salaries of arts administrators.
Regional cooperation of state Arts Councils.

5. Conclusion.

Bibliography.

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Funding, Cultural Diversity