NEA Chairman admits mistake on August 10 conference call

STATEMENT FROM NEA CHAIRMAN ROCCO LANDESMAN

September 22, 2009

As chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, I would like to clarify the issues concerning an August conference call in which an NEA employee participated.

Here are the facts.

Fact 1:             The former NEA Director of Communications helped organize and participated in an August 10^th conference call to introduce members of the arts community to United We Serve and to provide them with information on how the Corporation for National and Community Service can assist groups interested in sponsoring service projects or having their members volunteer on other projects.   

Fact 2:             The former NEA Director of Communications acted unilaterally and without the approval or authorization of then-Acting Chairman Patrice Walker Powell.

Fact 3:             This call was not a means to promote any legislative agenda and any suggestions to that end are simply false.   Rather, the call was to inform members of the arts community of an opportunity to become involved in volunteerism.

Fact 4:             Some of the language used by the former NEA Director of Communications was, unfortunately, not appropriate and did not reflect the position of the NEA. This employee has been relieved of his duties as director of communications.

Fact 5:             This call was completely unrelated to NEA’s grantmaking, which is highly regarded for its independence and integrity.  Artistic quality, excellence and merit are the guidelines for decision-making; favoritism or political affiliation plays no role in NEA grantmaking.

Fact 6:             The NEA is a successful, independent federal agency that has supported the best of the arts and arts education for nearly 45 years. We take our responsibility to the American public very seriously and are committed to upholding this public trust.

Although my time here has been brief – in fact I arrived at the agency on August 11^th the day after the conference call – I am proud to lead the National Endowment for the Arts, proud to work with its capable and energetic staff, and proud to play a role in enhancing the quality of life for the people of our great nation.