NEA Chairman makes first address in Washington

IFACCA/Artshub, 07 July 2003,USA

In his first address to the National Press Club on June 30 in Washington DC, NEA Chairman Dana Gioia raised the question, can the National Endowment for the Arts matter? Offering his sense on the role the NEA should play in American culture, Gioia questioned whether or not the NEA can meaningly regain its historical position as a strong and positive presence in American culture. Gioia drew comparisons between the USA and countries including France, Germany, Mexico and China, stating that their cultural institutions provide smooth planning for arts organisations, but divide the cultural world into insiders and outsiders. He stated that in contrast to European models, the American system of arts support is complex, decentralised, diverse and dymanic. He further noted that: 'Government support does not solve all artistic and organisational problems, or guarantee that an institution serves its local community.' Gioia further went on to describe the 'cultural dynamism' and success of the American arts system as a result of arts philanthropy. In light of this, he asked: 'What role can be played by an institution that provides slightly less than 1% of total arts funding?' His answer filtered through the statement that the NEA can not be considered as a centralised ministry of culture. 'The NEA does not dictate arts policy to the United States; instead, it enters into an ongoing series of conversations about our culture – out of which emerge thousands of collaborations, large and small, national, regional, and local,' he said. 'The proper role of the National Endowment for the Arts is, instead, leadership, stability, and advocacy.' Gioia concluded by stating: 'I am firmly committed to rebuilding the budget of the National Endowment for the Arts. We need more funds to address the challenges and opportunities we face in both the arts and arts eduction. But money alone is not the answer… we need intellectual clarity, organisational discipline, and bold but non-divisive leadership.' For a full transcript of Dana Gioia’s address to the National Press Club, CLICK HERE.

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