NATIONAL COUNCIL ON THE ARTS WITNESSES ROGER L. STEVENS, CHAIRMAN, NATIONAL COUNCIL ON THE ARTS CHARLES C. MARK, ARTS CONSULTANT Mr. DENTON. The next item the committee will hear will be the request of the National Council on the Arts for $100,000 for salaries and expenses. We will insert in the record at this point the item from House Document 278 and the justifications. (The documents follow:) "NATIONAL COUNCIL ON THE ARTS "SALARIES AND EXPENSES "For an additional amount for 'Salaries and expenses', $100,000." This proposed supplemental appropriation will cover the cost of the first full year of the Council's program to encourage development and appreciation of the arts, as originally proposed in the 1966 budget and as specifically authorized by Public Law 89-125, approved August 13, 1965. Salaries and expenses Appropriation, fiscal year 1966 Request. (H. Doc. 278) 850, 000 100,000 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDS Funds are requested to carry out the program of the National Council on the Arts which is to provide such recognition and assistance as will encourage and promote the Nation's artistic and cultural progress as authorized by Public Law 88-579 as amended by Public Law 89-125. SALARIES AND EXPENSES For an additional amount for "Salaries and expenses, $100,000.❞ Public Law 89-125 amends Public Law 88-579 to provide for a maximum authorization of $150,000 for carrying out the provisions of the act. While the general responsibilities of the National Council on the Arts are to provide such recognition and assistance as will encourage and promote the Nation's artistic and cultural progress, specifically the Council is directed to— (1) Recommend ways to maintain and increase the cultural resources of the United States; (2) Propose methods to encourage private initiative in the arts; (3) Advise and consult with local, State, and Federal departments and agencies on methods by which to coordinate existing resources and facilities, and to foster artistic and cultural endeavors and the use of the arts, nationally and internationally; (4) Study and recommend methods to encourage and promote creativity, higher standards, and increased opportunities in the arts to bring about a greater appreciation and enjoyment of the arts by our citizens. The members of the Council were appointed by the President on February 23, 1965, and official meetings of the full membership were held April 9 and 10, 1965, and June 24, 25, 26, and 27, 1965. To carry out the above responsibilities under the law, the Chairman and the members of the National Council on the Arts have outlined a service program designed to make maximum use of a small staff and the intermittant services of recognized experts in the various art forms. Inherent in the program is the mobility of the Council and staff members and the personal attention of the Chairman and Council members to various assignments. In the few short months in which the Council has been in existence, the public demand for assistance and service has been at a level far in excess of any ability to effectively begin projects or programs which will alleviate this demand. Proposed activities are outlined below: 1. Information services.-The basic information concerning the cultural resources of the United States exists only in fragmentary form. No national professional association of arts organizations has sufficient funds or direction to collect data on its own particular art form. The Council intends to coordinate the work done by private national associations, initiate surveys and studies deemed necessary, and encourage other Federal agencies routinely collecting various forms of social and economic data to expand their services to serve the artist and the work of the Council. 2. Private support programs.-The influence of the Council and of the Chairman and individual members has been used, and will continue to be used to influence greater support for the arts through private initiative. Such projects are most often unique and rooted in a local situation, but the Council's endorsement and encouragement is extremely helpful in galvanizing local leadership toward the achievement of desired goals. 3. Cooperative programs.-The Council has studied and arrived at a number of positions in regard to programs in the arts carried on by other Federal agencies, as well as local and State, private and public, organizations. A system of advisory committees and panels has been developed to effectively facilitate further development and improvement of many of these programs. 4. Education programs.-A number of special projects have been undertaken by the Council in cooperation with other Federal agencies. These projects are designed to bring about improved administration of institutions of the arts, broader opportunities for our citizens to experience performances and exhibitions of high quality, and methods to improve the identification, training, and economic opportunities for our talented young people. Explanation of requirements Personnel compensation and related benefits.-An amount of $69,000 is requested for five permanent positions, including compensation for the Chairman which is mandatory in the act, $25,000 for positions other than permanent, and $6,000 for personnel benefits, including contributions to retirement fund, $5,000; health benefits, $600; group insurance, $200; and FICA, $200. Permanent positions consist of the attached and place emphasis on persons who are knowledgeable and experienced in one or more aspects of the arts. Intermittent employment consists of the payments for the services of various experts and consultants necessary for particular projects and studies. Travel and transportation of persons.—An amount of $25,000 is requested for travel and per diem expenses in connection with the minimum of two meetings of the Council required under the act and consultations with local, State, and Federal agencies in carrying out various studies and programs activities; Council Chairman and staff, $14,000; Council members, $11,000. Rent, communication, and utilities. An amount of $6,000 is requested for telephone and telegraph services $5,500; and postage fees $500. Printing and reproduction.-An amount of $3,000 is requested for printing and reproduction of studies and reports, and for the annual report to the President and Congress as required by the act. Other services. An amount of $6,000 is requested for payments to commercial contractors, including national arts associations for data gathering and processing. Services of other agencies.-An amount of $10,000 is requested for administrative services by GSA. Supplies and materials.—An amount of $1,000 is requested for copies of special studies and reference works on the arts, and for newspapers and periodicals. Mr. DENTON. We have with us today Mr. Roger Stevens to justify this request. GENERAL STATEMENT Mr. Stevens, we will insert your prepared statement in the record at this point and ask you at this time to give us a brief oral summary of your written statement. (The prepared statement of Mr. Stevens follows:) Mr. Chairman, members of the committee, as Chairman of the National Council on the Arts, I am here to request an additional amount of funds to enable the Council to carry out the provisions of the act which created it. I'm certain you recall last March when I appeared before you, the law under which the Council was established stated that $150,000 was authorized to carry out the responsibilities of Public Law 88-579, but no reference to an annual appropriation appeared in the language. It was not possible at that time to receive adequate funds for operation. Consequently $50,000 was granted for purposes of the act. The omission in the law which prohibited a reasonable annual budget has now been corrected through the enactment of an amendment, Public Law 89-125, which adds the words "per annum" to the appropriations section, following the words "$150,000." The action clearly indicates it is the intention of Congress and the President that the Council operate at a level of efficiency in keeping with the duties and responsibilities given to it under the original act. Several mandatory provisions were enacted when the Council was created. For instance, it is required that the Council hold a minimum of two meetings per year. It has been our experience from the first two meetings that costs to the members for travel and expenses, reimbursement for which is required by the law, are in excess of $7,000. It is a requirement that the Chairman accept the $21,000 salary set by the law. It is required that the Council carry on studies, make recommendations, advise and consult with other agencies, all for the purpose of increasing the cultural resources of the United States. During the short time the Council has been appointed and working, we have found it a necessity to employ three full-time professional persons and at least one arts consultant to assist the Council members and the Chairman in this work. We have also found need for secretarial help, and have employed one secretary for this purpose. By merely adding the Chairman's salary ($21,000), the cost of the two meetings of the Council ($14,000), and the salary of the one secretary ($5,000), the total budget becomes $40,000, without any provisions for expert assistance to the Chairman and the members, or for staff travel, rent, printing of the required annual report, or payment for services to GSA. Therefore, we are earnestly requesting an additional amount of $100,000 to properly begin the work for which the National Council on the Arts was created. Since President Johnson appointed the 24 members to the National Council on the Arts, I have seen an amazing demonstration of devotion and enthusiasm on the part of all these outstanding citizens. They are eager to work and accomplish the sobering assignment given them by the Congress and the President. During their short tenure they have begun their duties by outlining a program of information services, a plan for cooperation with private philanthropic resources, cooperative programs with other Federal agencies, and educational proposals to stimulate greater appreciation of the arts by our citizens. The Council has officially requested that the maximum funds authorized be appropriated in order to efficiently conduct these programs. I thank the chairman and the members of the committee for this opportunity to explain our financial situation. Mr. STEVENS. Briefly, the bill that was passed last year by Congress requests that we have two meetings of the National Council yearly. The Council is composed of some very prominent citizens and it is necessary, in order to prepare properly for these meetings, that we have some staff. The actual cost of the two meetings and the salary of the Chairman very nearly totals the $50,000 appropriation. Funds to employ staff to prepare for these meetings and carry out other mandates in the bill are not available. APPROPRIATED FUNDS Mr. DENTON. How much was appropriated in the regular appropriation for 1966? Mr. STEVENS. $50,000. Mr. DENTON. The reason for that was, I believe, that under the act you were entitled to $150,000 for 3 years. Mr. STEVENS. Yes, sir. Mr. DENTON. The law has been amended to authorize how much annually? Mr. STEVENS. The law was amended to authorize $150,000 per annum. Mr. DENTON. So $50,000 has been appropriated for 1966 and you want $100,000 more, which is the total amount authorized? Mr. STEVENS. That is right, sir. NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES Mr. DENTON. Legislation has been introduced for the creation of a National Foundation for the Arts and Humanities. What will happen to the National Council on the Arts if this is enacted into law? Mr. STEVENS. Sir, the Council would then be transferred to the National Foundation. The Chairman and the Council are transferred from the Executive Office of the President to a separate, independent agency, by the new law. Mr. DENTON. Your Commission will still exist? Mr. STEVENS. Yes. Mr. DENTON. You will be absorbed? Mr. STEVENS. We will be absorbed. Mrs. HANSEN. You will function within their framework? Mr. DENTON. You will be absorbed by this new Commission? Mr. DENTON. A question I am frequently asked on the floor is, What is the relationship between your Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts? Mr. STEVENS. As I understand the Commission of Fine Arts, they pass upon the appearance and practicality of buildings throughout the District of Columbia. Mr. DENTON. And what do you do? Mr. STEVENS. We are requested to advise Congress and the President on matters pertaining to the arts throughout the country. Mr. DENTON. The Commission of Fine Arts advises on matters only in the District of Columbia Mr. STEVENS. As I understand it, that is the purpose. Mr. DENTON. And you advise Congress and the President on matters of the arts Mr. STEVENS. Of all the arts. Mr. DENTON. Throughout the entire country? Mr. STEVENS. Yes; there are about 13 categories of the arts which are specifically mentioned in the Council Act. RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF COUNCIL Mr. DENTON. Could you give the committee a few specific examples of the accomplishments of your agency during the past year? Mr. STEVENS. We have had two Arts Council meetings and we have set up programs and goals we feel are worth pursuing for the country. We have been supplying information to various art organizations throughout the country. We get constant requests for data of various kinds. We work with private programs to see how we can help them and give them information. We have cooperative programs. We have several programs where we are helping the Office of Education. |