May 2009
Next National Endowment for the Arts Chair Announced
On May 13, 2009, the White House announced the appointment of Broadway producer Rocco Landesman as the next chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Landesman is currently the president of Jujamcyn Theaters, a conglomeration of five Broadway houses and has produced hits such as “Big River,” “Angels in America,” and “The Producers.” The announcement of Mr. Landesman as the next chair of the NEA has been widely applauded as a bold move by the President and signals that Mr. Obama plans to refocus the Endowment. “It’s potentially the best news the arts community in the United States has had since the birth of Walt Whitman,” said playwright Tony Kushner. “He’s an absolutely brilliant and brave and perfect choice for the job.” The appointment of Mr. Landesman does have to be confirmed by Congress and he would become the 10th chairman since the creation of the NEA in 1965 if appointed. To read the entire New York Times article, click here.
Thelonius Monk Institute Brings Program to Pittsburgh
From May 11 to May 16, the Thelonius Monk Institute of Jazz introduced its Peer-to-Peer jazz education program to Pittsburgh-area schools. The programs were presented by five gifted high school jazz students from Miami’s New World School of the Arts, along with saxophonist Antonio Hart, jazz vocalist Lisa Henry, and jazz educator Dr. J.B. Dyas. The program visited CAPA High School, Rogers Creative and Performing Arts Middle School, Allderdice High School, Brashear High School, and University Prep High School. Each visit included a concert for all students followed by jazz workshops for each school’s jazz band and choir.
For more information on the Thelonius Monk Institute of Jazz Peer-to-Peer program and their visit to Pittsburgh, click here.
President Obama Releases FY 2010 Congressional Budget Request
On May 7, President Obama released the final details of his FY 2010 budget request to Congress. His request includes $161 million for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and $38.16 million for the Arts in Education program at the Department of Education (DOE). This request for the NEA is a $6 million increase from FY 2009, while funding for the DOE’s program stays the same. The President’s Budget is a first step in the appropriations process and an important framework. However, Congress has the ability to set its own priorities and change funding levels. Americans for the Arts has developed a customizable letter as well as several talking points. For more information on how to contact your representatives, click here.
Education Secretary Launches National Discussion on Education Reform
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will travel to 15 or more states in the coming months to solicit feedback from a wide range of stakeholders around federal education policy. Touted as the “Listening and Learning: A Conversation About Education Reform” tour, Secretary Duncan will take this opportunity to gather input on the Obama administration’s education agenda in anticipation of the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (also known as No Child Left Behind Act of 2001). The tour kicked off on May 5 with three events in West Virginia. Even though the schedule for the tour has not been published on the Department of Education’s (DOE) website, these events will be taped and reports and video summaries will be published on the DOE’s website (www.ed.gov). For more information, click here.
