Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-12-01
Roosevelt Proposes
National Art Week
As Annual Event
Statement Emphasizes
I erection Of Markets for
I Work of Americans

President Roosevelt last night
recommended that the country's
first Art Week, which closes today,
be made an annual event under
presidential sponsorship to encour-
age "democratiac support of Amer
lean artists and craftsmen through
purchase of their work."
The Presidents statement follows:
s"In view of the gratifying success
achieved during the observance of
the first Art Week, which will close
tomorrow, feel justified in recon-
iinending that Art Week be made
an annual event under the sponsor
ship of the President.
while I believe the Federal Gov
eminent has a proper responsibility
In fostering national interest in
American creative expression.
strongly recommend a decentralized
organization. working in partner
ship with the Government, to en-
phasize as its first objective, demo-
cratic support Of American artists
and craftsmen through purchase of
their work.
National Council Recommended.
THE proposed annual observance
also should embrace broader par
ticipation of the several arts, active
in each community, on year-round
basis. My hope is that through the
concentrated effort we put into one
week We can create an interest in
art which can be maintained and
enlarged and intensified in every
part of the country during all the
other weeks of the year.
Excellent organization has been
done this year under the chairman
ship of Mr.. Francis Henry Taylor.
director Metropolitan Museum of
Art in New York. I would recon-
mend, therefore, the setting up on
a permanent basis of National
Council for Art Week, with chair
man, secretary and other national
officers. This council should func-
ton with the collaboration of Gov
eminent agencies and should be
composed of leaders in the field of
the arts and representatives of other
organizations, both public and pri-
vate, interested in the further de-
velopment of our cultural life. 1t is
the present chairmans suggestion,
which I approve, that a larger ma
tional interest will be Forthcoming
If new chairman is appointed each
year from a different section of the
country.
'The national council would work
In collaboration with State councils
and local committees. Naturally, the
present Government committee, in
cooperation with the Government
art programs, would continue to act
In a co-ordinating capacity to de-
velop year-round continuing pro-
gram. Our aim should be to provide
for circulation of exhibitions of the
work of American artists and crafts
men, with special emphasis on max
Ing them available to all the people
urban and rural-particularly
those groups which have not hither-
to had the opportunity to enjoy
them I think a valuable advisory
service could also be rendered both
to States and communities to aid
them in establishing art centers in
public buildings, schools and other
acceptable locations Our aim must
be to arouse and satisfy an interest
In art in every community.
Gratified by Activity.
"A very critical and highly desirable
result of this activity would be to
create a market for the works of
contemporary artists. I am very
much gratified to learn from reports
thus far available that more than
500 State and local committees with
upwards of 5000 members organized
more than 1900 sales exhibitions of
works by some $4,000 American art
lists and craftsmen during the week
now drawing to a close.
What we shall be abe to do for
American art and American artists
Is further reflected in the fact that
associated with the national council
In their work were some 210 Gov
eminent agencies, including the w.
P. A., N. Y. A., Department of Agri-
culture, Department of Commerce,
besides, 1872 art organizations. 653
museums and schools, and almost
5000 commercial outlets.
THE fact that so much was done
In brief preparatory period this
year justif1es the establishment of
this work on permanent basis"