In 1968 the Arts Council managed to get a grant from the treasury to buy up a lot of derelict touring theatres and put them back in the hands of the local authorities.
The arts have always been an important ingredient to the health of a nation, but we haven't gotten there yet.
Taxpayers don't want their money spent more than a very, very slender amount on actual buying art or paying for concerts.
The arts need funding.
I love that President and Mrs. Obama are embracing the arts. I am so delighted.
As an artist I have an even more abiding interest in the compact between the Arts and Government.
Lillian Gish thought that there should be a cabinet position for the arts and I think she was right. I think she was right.
The average tax payer is not a big voluntary supporter of the arts. The only art that the average taxpayer buys voluntarily either has a picture of Bart Simpson on it or little suction cups on its feet so you can stick it onto a car window.
We need more theatres, more art and more culture in this country.
The arts are part of the fiber of American society and should get Federal support.
With my ministry of light, part of what I do is work on the California Alliance For Arts Education.
I think President Obama really does get the value of the arts.
