The Heart Of America Analysis

The National Endowment for the Arts is an independent agency that is funded by the federal government to help support many artists around the U.S. It has successfully been granting artists of every kind and has benefitted thousands of individuals and communities since its establishment in 1965. The NEA has had a huge impact in the development and the preservation of dance, design, folk and traditional arts, literature, media arts, museums, music, opera, theater, and visual arts (arts.gov). Over the years the NEA has awarded more than $4 billion to support artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation. It is the largest annual funder of the arts in the United states and has awarded more than 140,000 grants. In order to extend its reach

Under the guidance of Charles Willson Peale (fig. 1) in 1805, a group of Philadelphian artists and merchants gathered to ratify the charter that formed the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) the oldest art school and museum in the United States. Founded on the dedication and principles of education, collecting, and exhibiting American art. Peale and the other Found Fathers of American art sought “to promote the cultivation of the Fine Arts, in the United States…and exciting the efforts of the artists, gradually to unfold, enlighten and invigorate the talents of our Countrymen.”

In 1961, Kennedy appointed a Special Consultant on the Arts and made public support for the arts an official policy agenda (Bauerlin and Grantham, p. 6). In 1963 President’s Advisory Council on the Arts was created (p. 7). After President Kennedy’s assassination, President Johnson continued to support Kennedy’s vision of founding a federal arts agency. The next year Johnson signed the National Arts and Cultural Development Act of 1964. This created a 24-member council to “recommend ways to maintain and increase the cultural resources of the nation and to encourage and develop greater appreciation and enjoyment of the arts by its citizens” (p. 15). The Arts Endowment started its first fiscal year with a budget of $2.5 million and a staff of twelve, and its first grant recipient was the American Ballet Theater (p. 19). They provided support to both classical forms of art (such as ballet and opera) and emerging art and art trends (such as pop art and jazz); and provided funding for both established and up-and-coming artists (p. 22). Furthermore, the committee provided support for art education, and archival and preservation efforts such as the American Film Institute (“AFI”) (p. 23).

Stacy West was born and raised up North amongst the oaks and the apple trees in the state of Minnesota. Surrounded by generations of family, Stacy grew up in the same yard as her great grandmother, Lily. It was a slower pace and time with simple cares that were of great importance. Blessed with warm childhood memories and carrying the hope that each quilted creation will reflect an enriched life. Stacy currently resides in the Twin Cities in MN, has two darling daughters, Hannah & Grace and a wonderful, supportive husband, George.

Visual artists fell through the gaps and did not receive federal support for their work until the creation of the NEA or National Endowment for the Arts in 1965. This federal program had little funding but proved a growing interest in art and art viewing from the public. This demand for art creates a demand for funds to support venues and museums so they can keep their doors open. A problem with the NEA is that they provide government funding, which prevents them from being biased about

The National Endowment of the Arts promotes freedom of expression by giving these grants. I'm sure you have heard of the term, “a picture is worth a thousand words” and that is what these artist, musicians, actors, and photographers are doing, expressing feelings and thoughts through art, music, theater and photos. Each painting or photograph or drawing made means something and usually has a bigger or symbolic meaning, such as the feelings toward politics, the world, or current events. Rudolph W. Giuliani, who is City Mayor of New York, threatened to shut down the Brooklyn Museum due to a panting he “finds sick”(Source B), the painting portrays Virgin Mary with elephant dung all over her chest. The mayor sees this painting as “Anti-Catholic” (Source B) and demands it be put down. Yet, if the state were allowed to deny funds to those artist they find offensive, not one would get

Art gives us a sense of beauty, recognition, and is a symbol of work and passion. When we look at art, we see the work that is put into it and it inspires us in ways we may not even know. However, when we think of art, we usually think of museums and art galleries that hold the masterpieces, not the streets or plazas that we live among that would actually make a great place to add a sculpture or a statue with the help of government funding. The government should use city funds to encourage public arts to be made on the streets or in the city plazas for a multitude of reasons.

“Art is a nation's most precious heritage. For it is in our works of art that we reveal to ourselves, and to others, the inner vision which guides us as a Nation. And where there is no vision, the people perish,” (Johnson). President Johnson’s speech before signing the Arts and Humanities Bill, which began the National Endowment for the Arts (“Lyndon B.”), was inspiring to artists in all merits. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is a federal program that provides grants to art programs, ranging from dance to music to visual art (“About the NEA”). Numerous Americans believe federal funding to the arts is not important, while countless organizations depend on the grants given. Individuals against the NEA believe that the benefits of the

In America Is In the Heart, writer Carlos Bulosan delivers a near autobiographical description of his life growing up in the Philippines post World War I and his disillusioned idea of the “American Dream”. Although this later proven disappointment was bolstered by family members and close friends, Carlos, or Allos as he is referred to in the book, never truly gives up his “American Dream” and instead burdens the responsibility to keep the image shiny and intact within a crooked America.

The duty of the National Endowment for the Arts is to foster the growth of the

From the ripe age of 7 I have been a theater kid. The different mediums of art are the main contributors to my worldview, safe space, and overall zest for life. Anyone who says they do not like the arts is a liar. How do I know? Art is everywhere. Art is the book you’re reading or the essay you’re writing. Art is the structure and design of the interior and exterior of any building you’ve ever seen or inhabited. Art is the stain glass windows, the hymns you sing, and the bible you read from in your church. Art is your favorite TV show, book, movie, picture, or really anything. So why, I wonder, are the arts so underfunded?

Many people pay taxes for countless purposes already, such as utility and electrical bills, rent, insurance, but art is not a necessity people require in order to live. It may create public controversy as some citizens believe “we don’t need public art pieces that entice controversy, upset some of the taxpayers who helped pay for them, and give the government the power of censorship.” Even if art were to presented or displayed in public, whether publicly or privately funded, some people just do not have the time or dexterity to appreciate art. A public art website claims in their mission statement, “Public art makes art available to many people who might not typically have the time or money to visit museums or art galleries,” however, if people have empty concerns about art initially, public art would make little

Improvements in this area seems like a waste of money to a part of the world population, but if a country wants to develop, they should care about art as much as they do about public services. A government should be capable of giving support to both of them. It’s not ethical to make investments on public services and forget

Public art catches an abundance of attention and the artist receives so much recognition, there’s no need for the government to show it off even more. Instead of the government using their money for art, they can use it on more important things, such as employment and education for people who have no money to do so. With the government investing in art, they will not benefit from it a whole lot. They will be able to show it off to the public but will receive nothing from this.

By cutting the Arts funding, many different careers basically are eliminated. Films, movies, music, media, reading, musicals, plays, television, random things on the side of the road by local artists, museums, even buildings--these are all considered art. Certain entertainment can keep children from doing negative things and can shape people while they are they are growing up. By allowing children to have creativity, at a young age, they can expand that when they are older and it helps teenagers figure out themselves. Personally, if it was not for having to fund for art programs, my life would be completely