If we're going to start adding new Cabinet posts, I'd rather see a Secretary of Peace.

I'd like to see a secretary of Shut-up Hollywood.

Ha! I love that!

"Ha! I love that!" --UnDave's post, not the idea of a secretary of Art.

I think it'd be a great idea. The Secretary of the Arts doesn't have to (and shouldn't) directly sponsor or support any particular artist, style of art, or whatever, but would be a great representative for promoting arts education and such.

I switched over to the grammy awards for a second (my sixth sense told me Justin was on) and right after that this dude comes out and the minute he said the saviors name i changed the channel quickly.

Representative, Jude? As soon as they had a hand in it, you'd have their fingers in everything and anything having to do with fine arts. My educated guess would be that they would dictate much like the Catholic church did during the Baroque era.

Then let them support arts they consider worthwhile, as long as other forms aren't suppressed. Hell, with the Internet and a million ways to promote oneself, there's no reason why any artist shouldn't be able to get himself out there--but that doesn't mean that government recognition of the value of the arts shouldn't be prominent.

Speaking of the Baroque period, quite a lot of fine music and art came out of there

THere are "government" sponsered "arts" in my town. ANd they are hideous pieces of crap, that no person should ever have to look at, but my tax dollars spent thousands on.

example. in my library is a huge bronze statue put there and sponsered by the city, of a naked man bent over in pain......and i am talking he looks like he ate alot of mcdonalds hamburgers and green apples......

What is he supposed to represent?

I just don't want the Secretary of the Arts to, like, give Dan Brown an award or something.

Very true And it's great to see how people can thrive even under tough circumstances, but I really have a problem with giving the Government more power (especially in an area I'm really close to). I'd hate to see them tell me (or anyone) what they can or cannot create.

That's what I'm saying, though, Carrie Sue--I'd be happy with it as long as they didn't attempt to suppress art forms, subjects, artists or etc. that they don't support or approve of.

My ideal Secretary of the Arts duties would focus much more on arts education and preservation than on the outright sponsorship or patronage of specific artists/subjects.

It's been proven and promoted for decades that children who grow up learned in music and art do exceptionally well in science and math. You'd think that every school in the country would have a orchestra/band the size of a University marching band but no. It just can't be that easy it has to be more complicated for some reason to get parents to get up and move on this. If that means creating a drum major of sorts to lead the way than so be it. The benefit will benefit all of us in the long run by enhancing education and quality of life.

Well put, Hypno

That's what I'm afraid of, though, Jude. What happens when we give them a hand in the fine arts industry? I'm afraid that's exactly what will happen, so I'd rather not even start down that road.

I think there has to be a happy medium somewhere. Like I said, I'm all for government recognition of the value of the arts.

"My ideal Secretary of the Arts duties would focus much more on arts education and preservation than on the outright sponsorship or patronage of specific artists/subjects."

Mine too Jude.

lol this post made me laugh.

Have you ever seen a "happy medium" when it comes to the government?

baroque - Isn't that when you're out of Monet?
Hypno, the problem I saw, as a band geek, was that the band(s) and artists weren't widely recognized, and therefore didn't have the draw, like the sports teams did. It sucked, because we had a kick-a$$ marching band, but really could've used 100-200 more instruments.

I was a band geek too. I remember when I was in Jr. High School and I was having some issues in school. My mother met with my English teacher and she threatened to take me out of band and my English teacher nearly flew out of his chair. He said no no no I've seen him when he's in band his mind is alive he's in a zone you can't take that away from him.

The Arts are important, If this office directed it's funds as a part of education for grades K-12 I would support it. The Grammys only displayed pop music,a sample of other music catigories would have made for a more entertaining evening.

Although I love classical music to this day I can not go watch a live orchestra because even as a former well practiced musician I know the passion that goes into playing that music and it's hard for me not to just cry from the joy.

So go and cry

I played cello in school...I also learned to read music. This get me a paid gig now and then...in R&B,

I have very select moments where I choose to make a spectical of myself Carrie Sue, lol.

You know, I think they'd get a lot more people out to experience classical music if they weren't so formal about it. Way back centuries ago, they would have music out in the park, just as they do sometimes today. Why can't they make classical music more informal? Who wrote the rules on that?

I played my clarinet in church as part of a duet. It was almost comical, because I tend to really get into the music, and move around a lot, and the person I played with was like a statue. Fortunately, we were up in the balcony, and not many people could see us.

I know what you mean. IMO classical music is most enjoyed live. Concerts in the park are increasingly popular but man you can't beet the sound of a good music hall.

I think it was just culural evolution with the growth of more pop styles and even new styles coming from those classical music some how became elite. I think it's making a slow come back though.

*cultural evolution

LMAO UnDave. I played clarinet too and base clarinet and tenor & baritone sax.

At one time, I played almost every instrument for our band, with the exception of the flute. I could never get that d@mn thing to make any usable noise.

I don't know many that ever could...I certainly couldn't. So I gave up and turned to the piano - my instrument of choice since age 12.

Good instrument! I wish I could play the piano better. It seems anymore that it just sits in my living room, taking up much needed space.

I think the arts are very important, but in light of the current economic situation this country is in, we need to table that discussion for the time being!

One problem: Quite a few students have to choose between the arts and athletics. There just isn't enough time to do both. In my jr. high, we could be involved in both. Once you hit 9th grade, part of creating your schedule was choosing one or the other or neither. Quite a few people gave up something they love to specialize in one area. I had to give up band, but others gave up on a sport to specialize in an instrument.

The arts are a luxury. Why on earth would we need a cabinet position devoted to a luxury? The size and scope of our government is ridiculous enough as it is.

wait a minute Mich. I think we need a secretary of wine and I nominate me. And seconds?

I think the secretary of education will have to deal with keeping arts in schools.

I think arts in schools is EXTREMELY important but a cabinet just doesn't seem realistic. We have to make sure we have enough teachers and books before we worry about paint and musical instruments.

The grammy's sucked this year. So boring.

"in light of the current economic situation this country is in, we need to table that discussion for the time being!"

I see where you're coming from clarabelle98 but I respectfully disagree. This is where parents are so important. Regardless of whether a school district can afford to sustain an arts program at the moment. It's up to parents to make the conscious decision to forgo the video games and like items to support that end. Once a child is taught the correct fingering and learns how to identify the notes it's simply up to learned discipline and consistent practice. If they're not into music playing then how about some art supplies. Parents need to guide the purpose as well it's not always up to the mercy of a schools budget but just some simple old fashion parenting and focus.

When I was growing up my father made me practice one hour every afternoon and this was long before I was in any school band. I’ll admit it I hated it, until, I learned to appreciate and the rest is history. Even if children don’t go on to become musicians or artists their educational experience as data has consistently shown will be so much richer. Now what parent wouldn’t want that for their child.

We have a secretary of culture and arts in Austria, it's an important position and I think it's something every nation should consider.

Why wouldn't we have a Secretary of Arts or Culture? Every other nation in the free world has one.

Hypnotic, don't get me wrong, I think the arts are SUPER important, in schools. But like someone else says, it doesn't have a place in the government. I fully support the arts. I was a band and drama member all through school, and think they are some of the best things I did during those years. But to create a cabinet for it right NOW? that seems irresponsible to me.