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Art and Democracy
“Art is the great democrat,” wrote John F. Kennedy, “calling forth creative genius from every sector of society, disregarding race or religion or wealth or color.” He believed that art and democracy went hand-in-hand. Poets, painters, musicians, architects, writers, and others were as important to American life as scientists, politicians, and businesspeople.
He and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy invited arts organizations to perform at the White House. He spoke and wrote about the importance of the arts. He maintained friendships with prominent artists including poet Robert Frost and composer Leonard Bernstein. Perhaps most importantly, he laid the groundwork for the creation of the National Endowments for the Arts and for the Humanities.
The Washington Post called Kennedy “the best friend culture has had in the White House since Thomas Jefferson.” But for Kennedy, supporting the arts was simply a matter of good government. |