Government and the Arts

Report Outline
New Proposals for Support of the Arts
Varied Federal Patronage of the Arts
Evidence of Fresh Government Interest

New Proposals for Support of the Arts

Current support of proposals to enlarge the role of the federal government as a patron of the arts brings to mind the period of the 1930s when federal agencies put thousands of unemployed artists, writers, actors and musicians to work on a wide variety of projects. Nothing on the scale of the short-lived New Deal arts program is contemplated today, but measures pending in Congress would give official recognition to the arts as an essential feature of American life and encourage the growth of cultural activities.

Now, as in the depression era, new federal activity in the arts would serve more than an esthetic purpose. The earlier program was motivated in large part by a need to relieve unemployment; the programs for which approval is sought today would be expected to enhance the prestige of the United States as a cultural leader among nations.

Bills IN Congress TO Promote Cultural Activity

Present proposals to augment government support of the visual and performing arts take three main forms. The House Education and Labor Committee on July 19 reported a bill to establish a permanent Federal Advisory Council on the Arts in the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. A second proposal is to authorize modest grants-in-aid to the states to induce them to sponsor cultural activities. A third is to establish a government foundation to underwrite deficits of non-profit groups presenting exhibits or performances. Nine senators and nine House members have introduced bills this year to carry out one or more of these proposals.