Urge President Obama to elect a Secretary of Culture.

Original Post: Soundcheck, visa-vis WNYC.org: 21 January 2009.
Photographs: A. Golden, eyewash design, c. 2009.

A Secretary of the Arts for America?

When music impresario Quincy Jones appeared on Soundcheck in December, he said the first thing he would do is “beg” President Obama to establish a cabinet-level position for the arts. Today, we revisit that conversation with a debate on whether a “secretary for the arts” is really a good idea. Joining us are former National Endowment for the Humanities head William Ferris and Reason magazine columnist Ronald Bailey.

Listen to the entire show here.

Minister of Culture

In France, the government has had a minister of culture for over 50 years, but here in the U.S., a cabinet-level cultural affairs post has never existed. That could soon change, as members of President Obama's arts review transition team have expressed interest in creating an "arts czar" position. William Ferris, former head of the National Endowment for the Humanities, and Reason magazine columnist Ronald Bailey join us to discuss the possibility - and necessity - of a Secretary of Culture.

Soundcheck blog: John Schaefer on the "arts czar" question.

Tell us: What do you think of the "arts czar" idea? Should President Obama establish a secretary of the arts in his cabinet?

Ronald Baily's Culture Czar Column Post on Reason Online
William Ferris' NY Times op-ed, "Put Culture in the Cabinet"

Please consider signing the Quincy Jones petition, urging President Obama to appoint a Secretary of Culture. The petition can be found HERE.

LET THE REVOLUTION BEGIN!

Thanks for all you do!
Live your values. Love your country.
And, remember: TOGETHER, We can make a DIFFERENCE!

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