President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities

Chairman Adair Margo of the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH) led a high level, and the first, U.S. delegation of federal cultural officials to the People’s Republic of China in early June. Minister of Culture Sun Jiazheng served as host for the delegation, which met with representatives at cultural institutions and historic sites in Shanghai, Xi’an and Beijing. The culmination of these discussions was an Implementing Accord for Cultural Exchange 2007-2009 between the two nations, and specific proposals for joint cultural projects.

PCAH Chairman Adair Margo led the largest U.S. cultural delegation to China in June to expand cultural exchanges and deepen cultural understanding. Here Li Dongwen, Director of the Bureau of External Cultural Relations at the Ministry of Culture, (center), introduces Margo to Professor Fan Di'an, Director, National Fine Arts Museum, Beijing

Laura Bush, Honorary Chairman of the PCAH, made cultural diplomacy a priority when she announced the U.S. State Department’s Global Cultural Initiative in September 2006. The PCAH delegation to China is the latest effort by the President’s Committee to further international cultural exchange. When asked about the value of cultural relationships, Chairman Margo recounted an example of the power of cultural diplomacy saying, “Minister Sun recited a poem of his at our final gathering at the Jianfugong Garden in the Forbidden City that spoke eloquently about relationships between people of good will. His sharing of his poem touched the heart of what cultural diplomacy is at its best: a coming together in a spirit of friendship to share what we love most.”

U.S. cultural representatives join their Chinese counterparts in signing the Implementing Accord for Cultural Exchange 2007-2009, a step in advancing the Global Cultural Initiative announced by Mrs. Laura Bush in 2006.

The President’s Committee encompasses both federal cultural agency heads, as well as prominent private citizens in the arts, business and philanthropy. The official thirty-five member U.S. delegation reflected the President’s Committee’s public and private makeup, and provided a broad range of perspectives on the U.S.’ dynamic cultural sector which, unlike other nations, has no formal Ministry of Culture.

“Minister Sun was grateful to see our cultural agencies seated together in one room,“ said Chairman Adair Margo. “Coming to the U.S. looking for cultural partners can be a daunting task because we are so decentralized. An essential role of the President’s Committee is bringing together U.S. partners to effectively link to other parts of the world.”

During the two-week visit, each stop provided the PCAH delegation with first-hand experiences in Chinese culture and wide-ranging discussions on opportunities for exchange. In Shanghai, the delegation visited the China Welfare Institute Children’s Palace, a showplace for international children’s exchange, and the first after-school activity center in China. After performances by the children, there was a welcoming speech by Chen Baihua, director of the Children’s Palace focusing on arts education in China followed by a discussion of the growing field of after school and summer arts programs for children in the United States. President Committee member James Farmer offered insights into after school programs in the U.S., including awardees of the President’s Committee’s Coming Up Taller program, which annually recognizes outstanding youth arts and humanities programs at a White House event with Mrs. Laura Bush.

At the Shanghai Museum, “Art in America – 300 Years of Innovation” is one of the first surveys of American art displayed in the People’s Republic with 130 significant works from Gilbert Stuart to Chuck Close. Bruce Cole, National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Chairman, spoke to an audience of artists, scholars, writers and cultural leaders about the American spirit that ties together this diverse group of artists, periods and works. The exhibition itself is of historic importance and an example of what Chairman Margo views as “the great potential of U.S.- China cultural diplomacy and exchange.”

The PCAH’s public and private members provided invaluable perspective on U.S. culture for Chinese artists, scholars and leaders they met. Here Clark T. Randt, Jr. Ambassador, People's Republic of China (right) joins PCAH member Alice Foultz and James Farmer.

One of the strengths of the PCAH delegation to China was its ability not only to have federal cultural leaders such as Chairman Cole, but also leading private citizens such as American archaeologist Iris Love, a member of the National Council on the Humanities. She was among the first to assist in the 1980s with the excavation of the Terra Cotta Warriors in Xi’an, which is at the eastern end of the ancient Silk Road. Joining Chinese scholars, archaeologists and teachers, she spoke to the international cultural significance of these artifacts, which was part of a broader dialogue on preserving cultural heritage and the need for new conservation technologies.

Balancing the preservation of the material past with economic growth and opportunity is a challenge for both nations. With one of world’s treasures, the Great Wall of China, as a backdrop, Shan Jixiang, Director General of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage presented one perspective on this issue and Anne-Imelda Radice Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, expanded on his remarks with an overview on the importance of conserving art, artifacts, books, manuscripts, as well as living collections, as vital to our past.

A working session at the Ministry of Culture with Sun Jiazheng and other top government officials from China and the United States included discussions on policy considerations that affect the management and operations of U.S. cultural industries. Specific proposals by the U.S. head of delegation Adair Margo and each U.S. cultural agency head for future collaborative projects and exchanges were greeted warmly by Minister Sun, who also presented suggestions for joint projects.

Following from the session, a ceremony was held for the signing of an Implementing Accord for Cultural Exchange, 2007-2009, between the U.S. and the People’s Republic of China. The accord was signed by Alina Romanowski, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, United States Department of State and by Li Dongwen, Director General, Bureau for External Cultural Relations, Ministry of Culture, People's Republic of China.

One of the highlight of these discussions was a keynote address by Librarian of Congress, James Billington, on American cultural values. He commented later, saying, “ There is no activity that is more important and equally inexpensive for the long-term international relations of the United States than carefully-crafted, people-intensive cultural and educational exchanges.”

In this spirit, Chairman Margo presented Minister Sun, a poet and writer from a farming family, with parting gift of a rare Saddle Blanket Edition of the King Ranch history written and illustrated by U.S. artist and author Tom Lea. “Tom Lea’s writings and paintings were largely inspired by his deep love for and connection to our shared hometown of El Paso, Texas. I believe sharing what we love draws us closer together, and artists such Tom Lea can help others understand our country and its culture,” said Margo.

More on the Delegation ….

PCAH Delegation Opens Doors to Cultural Exchange and Understanding with China