In this persuasive book, Bill Ivey, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, assesses the current state of the arts in America and finds cause for alarm. Even as he celebrates our ever-emerging culture and the way it enriches our lives, he points to a looming crisis. The expanding footprint of copyright, an unconstrained arts industry marketplace, and a government unwilling to engage culture as a serious arena for public policy have come together to undermine art, artistry, and cultural heritage--the expressive life of America. Blending strands of personal and professional memoir, policy analysis, and deeply held convictions, Ivey proposes a new centrual authority--the department of cultural affairs--dedicated to reclaiming heritage, artistry, and creative life for all Americans. 342 pp, hardcover (2008) NONMEMBER PRICE: $25.00 |