Chairman
Chairman's Letter
These eight years (2000-2008) have been a time of reaching across agency
boundaries to better serve the American people, as well as a time of reaching
across international borders, connecting arts leaders from the U.S. to
their counterparts in other countries and sharing programs and expertise.
The PCAH began its international work with Mexico, signing a Joint Communiqué
for Cultural Understanding in 2003, and now, through public and private
partnerships, it has extended relationships to China, Egypt, Uruguay and
Belize. Since 2002, the President’s Committee has either supported
or participated in 145 international projects, exchanges or events. Among
these is AFI Project: 20/20,
a new program supported by each of these agencies, reflecting a shared
belief that through the universal language of art, music, literature,
and in this case film, the U.S. can both honor and open doors to other
cultures, ideas and places.
Being a committee of public/private members with the support of the First
Lady has been a key asset of President’s Committee, allowing it
to be a hub around which the Institute of Museum and Library Services
(IMLS), National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment
for the Humanities (NEH) can revolve on programs of mutual interest. Working
together, the President’s Committee and these cultural partners
have supported or created new programs and initiatives whose connections
to the American people and the world are richer, wider and deeper. Coming
Up Taller, Save America’s
Treasures and the National Medals all honor the richness of American
culture and their expansion and success are the fruits of this partnership.
Each of these programs is also designed to further cultural excellence,
increase access and participation and celebrate the spirit of our nation
and its relationship to other nations.
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