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According to an email making the Hollywood rounds, Quincy Jones has started a petition to ask President-Elect Obama to appoint a Secretary of the Arts. "While many other countries have had Ministers of Art or Culture for centuries, The United States has never created such a position," the email reads. "We in the arts need this and the country needs the arts -- now more than ever. Please take a moment to sign this important petition and then pass it on to your friends and colleagues." The petition is located at: www.petitiononline.com/esnyc/petition.html.
Should U.S. Have Minister Of The Arts?
By Nikki Finke | Category: Art | Saturday January 10, 2009 @ 1:45pm PST
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We have that already it’s called the FCC & MPAA.
All this country is about is censoring not celebrating the arts.
Ah. So that’s why we the people of the United States did ordain and establish (the) Constitution for the United States of America. Not in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, but to give the state a say in culture.
I’ll support the arts with my entertainment dollars, not my tax dollars, thank you very much.
I think if anyone needs a Minister Of The Arts it would the Hollywood Studios. Get back to some of that good old fashion story telling with real people and real characters.
Quincy Jones is among the greatest and most influential living American artists. That is beyond question. What is up for question is his objectivity regarding the need for an official Ministry of the Arts. An official Federal department of the Arts. The very concept is silly and of course it will never happen.
hopefully this position will further the tradition of great vision and artistry that Quincy brought us with “Star Camp” and the first three seasons of MadTV.
Um, let’s see. We have no Ministry of the Arts, and somehow this country manages to turn out more filmed and electronic entertainment than the rest of the world combined.
I guess we need a new government bureaucracy to put a damper on all this.
Clearly you’ve never lived in a country that actually does censor the arts.
And, I say if they want to promote the arts in this country, put the money into arts programs in schools. Not in appointing a useless vanity position like Minister of the Arts.
What a lame idea. If Obama falls for this, as I’m sure he will, all it will mean is another level of bureaucrats telling Americans what to do and how to do it. Even worse, it will end up costing hard-working taxpayers millions but will show nothing.
But this is the least of what we are in for, I fear.
Well, considering the inauguration’s in a week and they hardly have anyone signed up to perform, I think what they really need is a competent secretary.
I agree with Jen. A Secretary of the Arts is a terrible idea.
No matter who was appointed to such a position, do we really want to subject the freedom of expression to one person’s ideology? I’m thinking not so much.
The history of the NEA is frought with censorship of government funded art. Of course, the government can say exactly how the money is spent, as soon as we hand over our tax dollars to let them. That’s how it goes. I’d rather keep that money and spend it on shows I like, like the burlesque show I’m seeing tomorrow. I’m doubtful burlesque qualifies as “real” art. But I think it should – and therein lies the kind of debates that would go on once we give up control of funding for the arts.
It would be the first step towards placing a value on the arts and maybe, treating them as they ought to be. Sign the petition!
Would an Arts Czar be able to prevent crappy TV from polluting our airwaves? If so, bring him/her on! Pack your shit and go Jimmy Kimmel, there’s a new sheriff in town!
Is he insane? Do you really want the government to have any more control than it already does?
Here is a little trick to decide if you are giving the government too much power.
If you are on the right. Would you want Hillary or Bill Cliinton to have this power.
If you are on the left. Would you want Bush or Reagan to have had this power?
Keep the government out.
I agree with Jen.
It would be a grand idea if America actually practiced “live and let live,” the idea on which the country was founded.
Instead (by and large) what will happen is that it’ll be turned into another arena for the so-called culture wars, and generate enough Supreme Court cases to fill a history book.
Our culturally rich nation needs a secretary of the Arts & Culture BADLY. This is LONGGGG overdue. Hurrah Quincy Jones!
Anything creative is the first thing to get the chop in schools, both private and public. Heaven forbid the local high school lose their water polo team. They just recently announced TV networks no longer have to support local public programming, which is about the only “arts” programming left on television, paid or otherwise.
There’s no point in having a government position for something that has no government support. You may as well appoint a Secretary of Common Sense.
I’m a Canadian and I’ve seen government arts funding at work and I can say that a Ministry of Arts is a double edged sword.
While the idea of public arts funding is nice, there are problems. Government financed arts programs create elite cliques who dominate the funding bodies, and funnel the funding to their friends and pet projects.
This greatly narrows who succeeds in the art scene from those with the talent, originality, and drive to win an audience to those who are connected to the ruling political party regardless of quality or appeal.
Then there’s the questions over the “censorship” issue. Should the state support art that no one else will support for fear of being accused of censorship?
Is it even censorship to not pay for something you don’t want, or is it editing as Tom Stoppard once asked? Because those who don’t get the funding will be screaming censorship at the top of their lungs.
It’s a lot trickier issue than you think.
When you can turn on an FM radio station at 10:00 in the morning and hear people carrying on graphic conversations about what it’s like to have sex with uncircumcised men or about being sexually attracted to animals, the notion that “all this country is about is censoring” strikes me as incredibly wide of the mark.
The very fact that you can criticize your government without fear of reprisal is a nearly unique circumstance in the long history of the human race. Count your blessings.
Oh god, there you go again.
If you gotta, then for Christ’s sake get David Geffen. He’s not doing anything now.
WhatEVER you do, DON’T GET OVIT or EISNER.
Sheeze, Nikki, it’s all about the lesser of evils, and besides, we don’t need no bloody, wonking, “czar.”
We have the 6 assholes who run the studios . . . isn’t that damage enough??? Imagine Peter (Turkey-King) Chernin as the FILM CZAR?? Who wouldn’t want to throw-up at the thought?
Now let’s get back back to talking about something REAL, like saving the US economy and getting jobs for the several million poor souls out there…or dealing with SAG West VS SAG East, or the life-or-death situation of WATCHMEN.
Now more than ever, we need the arts?
Is he out of his mind?
Now more than ever we need an economy, jobs, an infrastructure, credit, a stable housing market, and a state and federal government that isn’t heading to bankruptcy.
Art… shssshhhh…. what an idiot.
Perhaps Mr. Jones might familiarize himself w/ the National Endowment for the Arts ( nea.gov ) from which he can apply for a grant here ( nea.gov/Grants/apply ), or the National Endowment for the Humanities ( neh.gov ), or even the public/private partnership that is the Kennedy Center ( http://www.kennedy-center.org/ ).
The government should have as little to do with the arts as possible. I know most artists tend to be liberal and that philosophy likes to have government involved. But listen to your inner libertarian. Once you have the government involved, you have the government having influence. And they can be hard task-master. Want to do something controversial or unpopular? Shouldn’t expect that on the taxpayer’s dime. We live in a wonderful country. You can make your own way. Get support that way.
And then the war over what is art and what isn’t art will follow and still nothing will be accomplished.
I supposed you could call the US Poet Laureate the equivalent.
What a stupendously stupid idea!
Just think what would such a department push for if it were a Republican administration?
Everything would be blander than “7th Heaven”
Those are the people that insist the government would screw up the healthcare system in this country, even though the G currently runs the two biggest health systems around. [The VA & the military medical systems]
And what would the Democrats do?
The Multicultural Channels, all 993 of them!
The republicans will never allow it. Arts are liberal by nature. It could be awesome if it happens.
another government department. I guess that means costly fact-finding missions on the taxpayer’s dime.
Hell no! We need less — a lot less — government, not more. We surely don’t need a new ‘pork’ department. Why would anyone who truly believes in Freedom, want this?
Simple, it’s not about Freedom; it’s about control. The same people who don’t want the Government to control content of their “art,” and are outraged at the slightest attempts to restrict vile material from leeching out over the airwaves; are now in favor of having the Government sanction “Art.” No surprise, as the left wants to control “talk radio” since it’s so effective in defeating the left’s multiple outlets of propoganda.
This reeks to high-Heaven on so many levels.
First, a new way to funnel money from those it belongs to, to those who don’t deserve it. Legalized theft.
Second, it’s a way for the left to control “art” and squelch dissent while promoting the debased lifestyle of the left; think NEA. In other words to promote hatred of Christians, America, and anything normal in favor of the Amoral lifestyle preferred by the likes of Polanski.
Third, it’s a pork project to funnel more money to Dems via Unions. The bureaucrat Unions get their cut; the Unions — of Hollywood, Broadway, etc… — will get jobs paid for by taxpayers for “art” no one wants to see, hear, or purchase because anyone getting money from the Dept would be forced to hire Union members; Actors — another Union kickback — get jobs in plays or films that will play in emnpty theaters at taxpayer expense thus keeping unneeded theaters open; painters/sculpters/”perfomance artits” whose “art” no one wants get a free ride aka welfare, wealth redistribution; and Dems get to make Hollywood feel important while touting “new jobs” and paying back the Unions for their help in the election. Unions get more dues which they funnel into campaigns, and Billion Dollar golf courses that they don’t pay taxes on.
Sort of like Pay for Play.
Fourth, it’s just a way to blunt the First Amendment Rights of those that Hollywood despises; Americans, Conservatives, Christians, and anyone normal. The only “art” that will be funded or sacntioned will have to meet the left’s ideas of “acceptable.”
If this department gets created, the left will use it for propaganda — just as they did with the media in this past election — when the Republicans take over in 4 years the left will go nuts when they stop funding the garbage that comes out this department. Of course the usual name calling will commence, and Hollywood mobilize the ‘army of hate’ as they did on Prop 8.
“Hope and Change,” what a crock. More of the same corrupt, inept, and Socialist b.s. of the left.
I nominate…let’s see…who would be just right for this job? What name leaps to mind? Oh.
Quincy Jones, anyone?
I agree with Jen.
If we support the arts someone may express a view or opinion through their art that provokes, shocks, or annoys others in a way these fragile souls deem psychologically threatening.
Our goverment must reflect our schools curriculums and ignore the arts completely.
the answer to your headline is…no.
Lots of other countries have culture ministries, Quincey, but they make not a jot of difference to the quality of art produced.
They just allow a lot of sub-standard artists to survive despite not finding an audience or a patron. There is no shortage of art in the US or anywhere else in the world. Concentrate on health care and education. The art will take care of itself.
best idea ever
American Art comes from the bottom up, not from the top down. “Q” is a brilliant musician, but this is a Stupid Fucking Idea.
Living in a country with a Minister for Arts, I can assure you that this is typically the most lightweight government position normally filled by somebody with an alcohol problem who proceeds to try and get themselves invited on as many boondoggles as humanly possible.
Worst. Idea. Ever.
Yes, lets create another position in the white house that does nothing. Then we can pay them an outrageous ammount of money as well. I got it, lets appoint Alan Rosenberg too. I know for a fact nothing would get done.
What should be happening is someone should be putting a petition together that demands SAG to do something. Either sign A contract or strike.
Chances are, if it came from Hollywood it’s just another bad idea like the rest.
Sounds like a good idea to me. (Minister of Arts)
We need a strong advocate for the arts and more funding for the arts as well. Music and drama programs are getting cut from public schools all over the USA.
Kids are growing up without learning how to play music, jazz, blues, classical. Jazz and blues is our own (USA) music. we invented it. FYI -We are the biggest exporter of the arts to other countries. The movie industry is one + billion dollar business. Its among the top 5 exported product i.e (movie, music etc.)that we sent out to other countries.
Yeah, the industry could chip in some money to supplement this as well if we want to maintain a decent pipeline of artists (instead of important actors from the UK for god sakes!)i.e. Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Pattinson, etc. etc.
The only reason to have this position is if that person’s only job is to grow and ensure arts programs in schools from Kindergarten through high school. And we are prepared to back that up with enough funding.
He’s right, we do need art more now than ever, but adults can take care of there own entertainment and art education. It’s children that need the healing and coping mechanisms and intelligence and creativity improving properties of art and music. Arts should be right up there with reading and math, it is part of what makes life richer that a rat race.
Well said, “Music, Drama, and Art Class” @ 3:06.
If the position ensures arts funding for schools and the NEA, then I’m all for it.
I’m surprised at the negativity in the comments section. Did this get linked by Drudge or something? You’d think the entertainment community would appreciate the need for arts in troubled times more than any other.
I’m a liberal, and this strikes me as an idea that seems nice on its face but the very definition of a can of worms upon creation. Perhaps I’ve been missing out on a lot of history, but in my understanding Ministries of Art/Culture have inevitably become a) swiftly culturally insignificant and behind on the times, and/or b) nests of propaganda. With a very few exceptions. A very great deal of art and culture institutions here in the US have tax-free status and many (museums, etc.) are subsidized. I think that’s as far as we should be going. American art/culture has survived just fine without a Minister to politicize them – if anything, we should be moving to less restriction (vis-a-vis Guiliani’s attempts to shut down art exhibits in New York that offended him) rather than more. There’s no point in creating a Minister unless it is funded, and once it’s funded it will become political. Once it’s political art institutions will start competing for funding, and then the abuse will begin.
Yes, please please! You could fold all the various national endowments and maybe PBS and NPR into this new cabinet level department. While we are at it, populate the department with everyone who is presently working in any capacity with any of the arts as a government employee. I’m positive that once government is funding 100% of arts activity in the US, all artists will finally feel free to speak openly in the work and bring criticism against their masters.
Wow – think of it – you could use your art to speak truth to power, afflict the comfortable, and then go pick up a government paycheck to do it.
That’s sticking it to the man!
YES WE NEED A MINISTER of Arts TO KEEP THE ARTS ALIVE IN THE USA and to help further promote and advocate the arts and our industry. Ronald Reagan I think put a damper on it (can you belive it!) and him an ex B actor!
Every other country has a ministry of Arts, Like (karen)and others from above said; it is a 1 billion+$$ dollar industry!! The USA entertainment industry ranks on the top 10 industries we EXPORT to other countries! The crux is; why are we importing so many artists from other countries?; ie. the UK and other? Because they are better trained and supported thats why. What’s wrong with our own (USA) artists? Quincy Jones is dead on and I’m signing that petition, and I would encourage all of you to as well.
Thanks Nikki for bringing this to your blog.
As always, much appreciated for shining a light where it needs to be.
Anyone who has read Jane Alexander’s thoughtful book about the time she headed the NEA (”Command Performance: An Actress in the Theater of Politics,” NY: Public Affairs, 2000) knows how powerless and embattled a full-scale Arts Minister would be for this country. The last thing you want is the government mucking with the arts. As it is, political factions aleady do damage to freedom of speech (Jesse Helms, Tipper Gore, or C. Delores Tucker, anyone?) while completely ignoring corporate monopolies’ restrictions on the First Amendment. Public funding brings public consensus, which is antithetical to art. What we need are genuine tax incentives to encourage investment in the arts, more diversity in media to allow those arts to reach audiences, and the reinstatement of arts education in schools so the next generation can develop an aesthetic.
To all the people who don’t know why Nikki thinks “Bride Wars” is sexists.
Our country is so immersed in sexism and misogyny that it’s become invisible to us.
Two women put pettiness before every value of friendship and decency. That’s comedy!
Hillary Clinton is destroyed because she’s “not likeable.”
Sarah Palin is destroyed because she’s stupid.
Guess what profession Oscar winning female characters have most often had? That’s right, prostitute.
Nikki is an intellect and she sees the crap dumped on women and minorities in this business.
And when Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway go from ingenues to ball-busting district attorney, they will see what they have wrought.
Don’t back down, Nikki.
We need and end to this shit.
As long as artists will work together to create a perfect world in which to live, our arts and entertainment ought to be regulated by the government to exclude those that refuse… for the greater good, of course.
“Art belongs to the people…” — V.I. Lenin
Ministry of Art?!
Nonsense.
‘Hopey Changemas’ to everyone in post-racial America…
Enrique–Title 9 already put the chop in water polo teams. We don’t need any state-sanctioned arts czar, thanks.
And for those who think we should follow in the lead of all those great artistic European countries–quick–
name:
a living Dutch filmmaker?
Living Danish novelist?
Living Italian painter?
French rock band?
Super idea! Hollywood’s been screwing up projects for obscene amounts of money for years; who can do a better job at that but the government?
All this would do is turn an inbred communitry more inbred. If this happens, the entertainment industry will be toothless and performing Dueling Banjos.
I’m a Republican, I LOVE the Arts. That is why I am AGAINST this.
Let the studios sink or swim on their own. The ones that know how to produce good art will survive (which means none will).
I just got the “black” email that asks you to sign a petition for the Minister Of Arts.
The idea here being circulated is to have a black President of Hollywood and the vague promise is the new MOA (read HNIC) will stop all of the sexism, nepotism and bigotry that permeates the industry.
My point here is that there’s a campaign for this thing. they are selling to white liberals as power and to black liberals as vindication. Typical lefty politics which divide even while they call for unity.
But I digress.
This is a bad idea for so many reasons. Countries that have MOAs don’t have many of the freedoms we enjoy. What we need is not an arts Czar but a government which doesn’t allow an ogligopoly to stifle competition, limit choices and ruin content by chasing profits.