His arrival at the helm of the beleaguered agency will set the tone for public support of the arts in America in the 21rst Century. The great process of accommodation and sharing and borrowing that has made our artistic life such a good reflection of our democratic experiment needs the federal presence to make sure that it's strong, make sure that it's healthy. There are many problems waiting for Ivey in the nation's capital. Conservatives in Congress would like to see the agency eliminated all together. Strong support in the Senate has repeatedly saved the NEA from annihilation.
Critics say the law violates artists' freedom of speech.
The ruling highlights questions about the agency's mission and the process by which it awards grants. William Ivey brings experience running a non-profit arts organization and, according to people who have worked with him, the ability to see opportunities where others see none. He has served on NEA panels and has articulated a broad arts policy as a member of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities.