Islam and the Middle East broke ground and contributed TONS in the arts and culture while Europeans were squatting around in caves and picking their noses. No need to throw in the tag of “combatting Islamic extremism” to further your agenda, morons.

Facts – they’re talking about TODAY, not the Middle Ages. It’s impossible to deny that blind fundamentalism is growing in the middle east.

The Middle East acted as a library while Europeeans were busy fighting each other and settling in different areas. They weren’t exactly sitting around in caves.

“The Middle East acted as a library” from which Europe thieved unmercilessly. Yeah, I agree. Let’s just say that having a secretary of culture should incorporate all cultures, from Omar Khayyam through Kahlil Gibran all the way down. It’s a little shortsighted to say that Islam has nothing to offer nowadays, just because extremism (in all forms, whether it be Islam or Christian fundamentalism) thwarts that development of culture.

Great Idea and who better for the position than Mr. Quincy Jones!

I think this is a bad idea. The American people can keep and retain the culture that they want. In these tight times, it is out of the question in terms of priority. Do we really need to expand the role of government for this? I think not. Culture will take care of itself. We need to be putting more money into basic education, health care, our infrastructure, intelligence, our military (especially veterans). Culture will do just fine on its own. ….and who would Quincy suggest to first fill this Secretary of Culture position…probably himself! Forget it.

The government’s not bloated enough with a $10 trillion national debt and the biggest generation in history ready to retire and start drawing Social Security and medical benefits. So with tax revenue falling in a recession, let’s add another unnecessary department.

I am just fearful of another bureaucracy, one that could be used for control of artist. The comment of using artist to fight Islamic fundamentalism frightens me. I hear and fear that they will use of art for governmental political goals. Propagandizing of art. Then comes control of Art. I saw this process in China and the Soviet Systems.

I am very much in favor of a cabinet post for ARTS and Humanities

The United States needs/wants a Secretary of Cultural Arts. Just think of the number of great causes that raise money by artists and how much the arts encourage and enrich children’s learning. For the US to be the future world leader we need to be the most creative in business and home.

My gratitude to Mr. Quincy Jones for helping bring this dire set of cirumstances to the political forefront.
Perhaps, requiring the US Department of Education to mandate a comprehensive and rigerous arts instruction component to include arts history and ensemble instruction at the elementary, middle, and high school levels as part of the normal school day schedule for a minimum of 100 minutes weekly would be more appropriate than creating a new beaurocracy.
Appointing Mr. Quincy Jones within the US Department of Education to a post of cultural oversight committee chairman would be a move in the appropriate direction.
Keep in mind, the directives of the current Elementary and Secondary Education Act NCLB) were very instrumental at downgrading or decimating music programs from many schools accross the United States.
Our U.S. students must know all their U.S. and world music and arts history. We must also ensure children have an opportunity to learn and grow as musicians within the scholastic setting if they desire.
Please contact troussos@neo.rr.com for further information.

I live in Buffalo, New York and sit on two Arts Boards…we are desperate for govervent to recognize the need to help supports the Arts and Culturals. As volunteers, how can we help you Quincy make this happen? This is a new day…help us help ourselves….buscemmj@roadrunn er.com

Critics of the proposal to create a Secretary of Culture (or Arts) are ingnorant of facts, which in turn makes them short sited. Every country has a Ministry of Culture (except us) and almost none use it for politic gain. They DO, however, use their artistic and cultural institutions to promote better understanding of their customs, heritage and their people. It is through an unforgettable artistic event that I first learned about the Aborigine culture of New Zealand, far better than anything I’ve ever seen on TV. And what about the Moiseyev Dance troupe which singlehandedly taught us about all the different regions and customs
of Russia through the medium of song and dance? There was nothing political about them – only incredible talent and joy of sharing it with us.
Civilizations are remembered through their culture and artistic expression. Our tragedy is we have such a wealth of it and no one in this country cares!

Art is about expressing emotions, free from inhibition. The mere mention of “Artists can be utilized again to help us win the war of ideas against Islamic extremism,” keeps us in the old mind set of Us & Them. That’s not what the “Arts” is about, it’s about expression and exchange, not “Winning.” Quincy has won plenty in his life, and kudos to his hard work, but his motivation comes from a selfish place. What about experiencing Islamic arts and music? Us & Them = all about Him, QJ. He just wants to promote the music of HIS heritage, Jazz. I’m Asian American and my favorite music IS Jazz. Yes, there should be more understanding into the heritage of the Arts in America. How about promoting existing educational sources like museum trips, using the internet, the history channel, A&E channel, documentaries from Netflix. Supporting live Jazz shows and actually seeing the Great Jazz Musicians who are still among us, and the great ones coming up! How often does he go out to the 25 seat jazz clubs?

I think that a SECRETARY OF ARTS would be outstanding. Believe me after teaching 37 years in the MARION COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM IN OCALA FLORIDA, I’ve seen many music teachers come and go. I’ve seen music come and go, Music teachers do many things. My last 2 years teaching included teaching science, reading and math. I retired Aug. 15, 2008. We need help, lets, get the word out. A Secretary of Art is the best position that could be opened. I’d love to be a part of this committee. I’m 100% per ceent for this position. BRAVO!!BRAVO!! FOR A SECRETARY OF ART. GO FOR IT QUINCY AND PUT ME ON YOUR COMMITTEE. I’LL BE WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!

At first glance this sounds like a great idea. I know that other countries have been very successful in preserving and promoting cultural awareness through art ministries, and maybe if we emulated their example we could do it too.
But truthfully I’m weary.
Our government doesn’t have the greatest track record at efficiency, leaving the best case scenario that this new Post could easily bog down the the art community with bureaucracy. The worst case scenario is censorship. Art is suppose to be edgy, it’s suppose to be controversial. I grew up in a conservative community and our school banned Catcher in the Rye because it “promoted masturbation”… are we going to allow a federal government to tell us that art that suggests evolution over creationism isn’t worthy of tax dollars? Or the art of Palestinian-Americans (that isn’t even political in nature but discusses humanitarian issues) should be banned? What about sexually provocative art, what about homosexual art? Who’s going to go around putting child safety features on the art community? Art isn’t about pretty pictures or happy songs, it’s about challenging society to be better, and sometimes that means facing our demons. The art community (in spite of the rest of this country) has purposely and continuously become more and more inclusive. I for one love that.

So yeah, it sounds like a good idea at first… I want to see more art, more music, more dance, theater, and spoken word. If a Secretary of Arts allows these cultural necessities to thrive and encourages community involvement, then I think it’s worth every penny. But federally regulating art seems like a slippery slope that I’d rather we not go down and no one posting on this site seems to know exactly what this Secretary position would actually do.

music education is vital to the preservation of our music cluture. We salute Mr. Jones and implore President Obama to take action and electand create a secretary of the arts. Think of the possibilities and oppourtunities this could offer young aspiring musicians from each city in the United States.Our program playitforwardstl.org knows first hand the struggles that our music directors are facing and the childern that are being denied thier musical voice. Make you vote count and sign…

music education is vital to the preservation of our music cluture. We salute Mr. Jones and implore President Obama to take action and electand create a secretary of the arts. Think of the possibilities and oppourtunities this could offer young aspiring musicians from each city in the United States.Our program playitforwardstl.org knows first hand the struggles that our music directors are facing and the childern that are being denied thier musical voice. Make your vote count and sign…

music education is vital to the preservation of our music cluture. We salute Mr. Jones and implore President Obama to take action and electand create a secretary of the arts. Think of the possibilities and oppourtunities this could offer young aspiring musicians from each city in the United States.Our program playitforwardstl.org knows first hand the struggles that our music directors are facing and the childern that are being denied thier musical voice. Make your vote count and sign…