PICTURING AMERICA
It’s been a busy few weeks…what’s new!!!
Much of the last few weeks were spent preparing to host Dr. Bruce Cole, Chairman of the National Endowment of the Humanities, and his team, for their visit to Dallas to announce a new educational initiative called "Picturing America". We were honored to be able to work with the NEH in bringing this great program to Dallas, the first city in the nation to receive it.
The formal announcement occurred on Wednesday at a ceremony that took place at the Nasher Museum, an appropriate site given its founder’s love of art and education. Ray Nasher was a wonderful man and friend: he would have been so pleased to have known about this innovative use of art to help educate kids throughout our country.
Mayor Tom Leppert introduced our special guests which included Dr. Michael Hinojosa, Superintendent of Schools, Dallas Independent School District; Daniel Schneider, Acting Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and Loriene Roy, President of the American Library Association. I was so delighted to have been asked to serve as the Master of Ceremony for the event, one that was very well attended by a cross section of educators, museum experts, and other people of good will.
That evening I hosted a dinner for about 24 people including the NEH team and friends of the arts in Dallas. Many old friendships were rekindled. It is always a joy for me to bring such caring and committed people together for an event of lasting importance.
Picturing America will be, in my view, Dr. Bruce Cole’s lasting legacy as Chairman of the NEH. It has the power to teach kids of all backgrounds and expose them to iconic images of great American art and culture many might never see. It is an especially effective teaching tool for first generation Americans. And it is free!!! Another example of Dr. Cole and his team delivering value and substance to the American people. His leadership of the NEH, now approaching almost seven years, is a testament to excellence and stewardship. All citizens have benefited.
It has been an honor to be a small part of what I know is going to be a tremendous success of the Picturing America initiative.