Dear Esteemed Candidates for president,
Congratulations on securing the delegate support for your Presidential races and for earning the privilege to ask all Americans for their votes; now let’s talk about art in the White House.
As you catapult through the remaining days of this election cycle, we invite you to muse on a topic dear to our hearts (and wallets) at 4A Arts: the Creative Economy. We’re not referencing the sculptures you’ll choose for the Oval Office or the artist you’ll select for your presidential portrait (although inquiring minds would love to know that as well). Instead, we want to know how you’ll support the wellbeing of every citizen and strengthen every community through enjoyment of, and participation in, American arts, culture, design, and craft.
(Gerald_Ford_Library).jpg)
Contact sheet of White House photography from the Ford Administration.
Your self-expression will set your campaign apart from your opponent’s. We’re happy to provide this extra-credit opportunity to push undecided voters in your direction. Are you more creative than your opponent?
"Uncle Sam" meets Andy Warhol...and still wants you to vote...for the arts.
- Fixing the Cabinet: Whom would you choose as America’s first Secretary of Arts and Culture?
- American Creative Economy: Would you give tax breaks to local artists to make more art or tax breaks to the well-off to buy more art?
- Dreams for your family: Would you hang art in the White House by your children, nieces, nephews, and granchildren? Can we get a peek?
- Art of the Deal: Creativity was crucial for every American during the Covid-19 pandemic. Yet many people see the arts as a frivolous luxury. But since you know the creative sector contributes more than a trillion dollars to the economy (second only to retail!) how would you persuade the Ways and Means Committee that funding art is a form of shoring up manufacturing?
- American Wellbeing: Rate the following aspects of wellbeing that you believe most benefit from creativity – personal finances, physical activity, fighting loneliness, education, civic engagement. (Guess what? – arts and culture shore up all five areas.)
- Creative Tax Incentives: What would you include in a “Creativity New Deal” to supercharge the economy since studies show there can be a $12 economic impact generated for every $1 spent on arts and culture.*
- Arts Education for All: Kids who study art are more likely to succeed in school, work, and life, thus benefiting the U.S. economy for the long-term (not to mention American society). What would be the pillars of your plan to integrate arts in education?
- Strengthen and Beautify: Infrastructure projects have historically incorporated artistic design. Would you rather your likeness and name be displayed on a bridge, post office, or school?
- Art as Diplomacy: With which country would you first partner to further an artistic exchange and what artwork or artist would you feature?
- The Arts and Technology: How would you harness creativity to curb the effects of social media and the exponential growth of AI (which affects the arts profoundly)?
BONUS QUESTION – Your legacy: If you could commission an artwork to commemorate your presidency, what would it depict, and which artist—living or historical—would you choose to create it?
Thank you for prioritizing American arts, culture, design, and craft by sharing with us with your thoughts on this meaningful topic. Your answers will not only showcase your vision for American creativity but also bring a touch of artistry to the political discourse. We eagerly await your responses highlighting the exceptionalism of American arts, culture, design, and craft!
Warm regards,
4A Arts – American Alliance of Artists and Audiences
P.S. We at 4A Arts fully believe that investing in creativity is absolutely the way forward to bridge divides, undergird the economy, and cement your presidential legacy for all history. In one fell swoop, so very much is solved…through arts, culture, design, and craft! We are here to discuss your policy agenda any time.
*For question #6 – We already have nine Congressional bills to make the job easy-peasy for you.
