In the spirit of October harvest time, this column will jump on the hay wagon, or more precisely the bandwagon, of our national arts culture. Halloween might seem to be the season's biggest artistic event, but those smiling Jack-o'-lanterns can be deceiving. In reality, this is National Arts and Humanities Month. President Obama has kicked it off with a proclamation:
“Millions of Americans earn a living in the arts and humanities, and the non-profit and for-profit arts industries are important parts of both our cultural heritage and our economy. . . .We must recognize the contributions of the arts and humanities not only by supporting the artists of today, but also by giving opportunities to the creative thinkers of tomorrow. Educators across our country are opening young minds, fostering innovation, and developing imaginations through arts education.”
Although Halloween will produce millions upon millions of creative costumes, fuel the candy economy, and produce some striking art work at art schools—which often have Halloween spectacles—National Arts and Humanities Month takes in a far larger political vision.
The Obama excerpt above, which focuses on art economics, was selected to be sent around the nation by our main arts lobby in Washington, Americans for the Arts. Its job is to keep a fire to the feet of Congress for arts funding. That is because, as even Obama suggests, arts produce jobs. They fuel the economy. October is also, in effect, the start of the one-year countdown for the great political event of 2012: the presidential election, the great quadrennial mood swing in America. The main issue will be jobs and economics.
The proclamation by President Obama, who has held several impressive music and arts galas at the White House, addresses more than just “earning a living.” So this column ends with other proclamation highlights: the president’s comments on art and social change, arts education—and, again, the economy:
“Norman Rockwell’s magazine covers are classic and recognizable portrayals of American life. A longtime advocate of tolerance, Rockwell was criticized by some for a painting now hanging steps from the Oval Office—The Problem We All Live With. Inspired by the story of Ruby Bridges, this painting depicts a young girl being escorted to her newly-integrated school by United States Marshals. Today, the portrait remains a symbol of our Nation’s struggle for racial equality.
“Like Rockwell’s painting, art in all its forms often challenges us to consider new perspectives and to rethink how we see the world. This image still moves us with its simple poignancy, capturing a moment in American history that changed us forever. This is the power of the arts and humanities—they speak to our condition and affirm our desire for something more and something better. Great works of literature, theater, dance, fine art, and music reach us through a universal language that unites us regardless of background, gender, race, or creed. . . .
“Educators across our country are opening young minds, fostering innovation, and developing imaginations through arts education. Through their work, they are empowering our Nation’s students with the ability to meet the challenges of a global marketplace. It is a well-rounded education for our children that will fuel our efforts to lead in a new economy where critical and creative thinking will be the keys to success.
“Today, the arts and humanities continue to break social and political barriers. Throughout our history, American hopes and aspirations have been captured in the arts, from the songs of enslaved Americans yearning for freedom to the films that grace our screens today. This month, we celebrate the enlightenment and insight we have gained from the arts and humanities, and we recommit to supporting expression that challenges our assumptions, sparks our curiosity, and continues to drive us toward a more perfect union. . . .
“I call upon the people of the United States to join together in observing this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs to celebrate the arts and the humanities in America.”
—Barach Obama.
On its Web site, Americans for the Arts lists more than 300 events already scheduled in most of the 50 states. The events cover just about everything: music, art tours, historical re-enactments, storytelling, photo exhibits, free museum days, talks on art, green art, queer art, ceramic fairs, Artober (for artists) and Archtober (for architects), and lots of local theater productions.
The number of events is expected to grow as the month passes. They will not end with a whimper, either. On October 30 comes the “Bayou Jam Halloween Bash” in Slidell, Louisiana. By that point, the Jack-o'-lanterns will be smiling. On October 31, the last day of the month, comes Halloween, a national bandwagon that rolls art and economics into one.
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