United States Department of State Art in Embassies Program obo/ops/art washington, D. C. 20522-0611
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United States Department of State Art in Embassies Program OBO/OPS/ART Washington, D.C. 20522-0611 ART in EMBASSIES http://art.state.gov “Mr. President, in these times of challenge and turmoil from abroad, we often either forget or are unaware of the constructive efforts which are underway to promote better understanding among all people. Not guns nor butter, but original works of art are now being used in a combined Government-private interest effort to portray our proud cultural achievements to those of foreign lands. I can think of no more effective approach to cultural diplomacy than that which the State Department is presently engaged in – the art in the Embassies program.” U.S. Senator Thomas J. McIntyre September 9, 1965 Congressional Record Established in 1963, the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Art in Embassies (AIE) plays a vital role in U.S. public diplomacy through a culturally expansive mission of temporary exhibitions, permanent collections, artist programming, and documentation. AIE produces temporary exhibitions of original works of art by American and host country artists, on loan from a variety of sources, for the representational spaces of U.S. chief-of-mission residences (CMR’s) worldwide. Equally important is its commitment to create permanent collections for all newly built U.S. chanceries, consulates, annexes, and AID buildings (Capital Projects), with a focus on contemporary art and artists from the U.S. and host countries. Together, these temporary exhibitions and permanent collections provide international audiences with a sense of the quality, scope, and diversity of American and host country art and culture. AIE curators, holding advanced degrees in the arts, typically design each temporary exhibition around a particular theme or artistic style based upon input from the Ambassador. The exhibitions focus on connections between our culture and those of the host countries, presenting a more nuanced view of the U.S. than is readily evident in pop American culture. Ambassadors, public affairs officers and cultural affairs officers use the exhibitions to further discussions on such foreign policy topics as HIV-AIDS, environmental conservation, and reconciliation, as well as to build bridges with local audiences via shared values and histories. AIE encourages ambassadors to display works by local artists in conjunction with the AIE exhibitions to create a visual dialogue and enhance the mission of mutual understanding. In these temporary exhibitions, the majority of art is on loan from artists, galleries, museums, foundations, estates, and private and corporate collections for approximately three years or the length of the Ambassador’s term of duty, as per AIE’s original congressional mandate. In an average year, AIE curators negotiate hundreds of loans for extended periods of time without providing any financial compensation. The vast majority of potential lenders agree to participate once they have a clear understanding of the cultural importance that the arts play in our public diplomacy. In return, the Program guarantees the professional consolidation, crating, and shipping of the works by trained fine art handlers and companies. The Program also provides insurance coverage and produces illustrated exhibition publications as lasting records and educational references. These latter expenses are minimal when compared to the more than millions of dollars worth of art generously loaned to the Program and currently on exhibit around the world. “The Art in Embassies program is a service of the Department of State, the purpose being to provide appropriate art for the representational rooms of the Ambassadors’ residences and chanceries. We think of this program as cultural diplomacy in action.” (Congressional Record, 9/9/65). AIE’s role, as originally proposed by President Kennedy and the U.S. Congress, was fully realized in 2005, when the Program took charge of overseeing acquisitions for the permanent art collections for all U.S. newly built chanceries, consulates, annexes, and AID buildings. This broadened function further expands and enhances AIE’s mission of cultural diplomacy, uniting American culture and those of the host countries in ongoing artistic conversation. Each work of art is selected and/or commissioned, negotiated, acquired, consolidated, shipped, and ultimately installed in the main representational spaces of the building(s) and the executive office suite. When possible, art on the exterior or grounds of the building (s) achieves greater visibility and exchange with host audiences. For these permanent collections, curators research and formulate exhibition concepts after thoughtful consideration of the host country culture and building architecture, and in consultation with museum colleagues, related specialists, and other experts. As with AIE’s temporary exhibitions, illustrated companion publications (online or in print) are produced for each project. These permanent collections, which include works of art in all media as well as site-specific commissions, share our nation’s artistic achievements while also demonstrating an understanding of and appreciation for the host country’s aesthetics and traditions. Since 2005, AIE has successfully curated and installed 66 permanent visual art collections in new State Department buildings around the world. AIE also conducts educational outreach through its cultural exchange program. Initiated in 2002, the program has successfully extended the impact of AIE’s exhibitions and collections beyond the walls of U.S. diplomatic residencies into local communities, and continues to garner media coverage both in the U.S. and host countries. Participating artists travel to countries where their work is on view or to create new work, and engage in a series of public cultural programming activities, such as lectures, workshops, community projects, studio visits, and collaborative art making. At home, AIE is a highly successful public-private partnership between the federal government and the American art community. It provides a unique opportunity for living artists and lenders to actively participate in our nation’s public diplomacy efforts, to become citizen diplomats. These partners share their experiences with family, friends, and colleagues, thus informing even more Americans about the work of the State Department and how they can be supportive. Overseas, AIE exhibitions and collections allow foreign citizens, many of whom might never travel to the United States, to personally experience the depth and breadth of our artistic heritage and values. AIE presents multiple faces of American culture that help residence and embassy visitors understand us better in a way that words often cannot. U.S. Secretaries of State, ambassadors, public affairs officers, and cultural affairs officers have attested to the positive impact of the Program time and time again. “For fifty years, Art in Embassies has played an active diplomatic role by creating meaningful cultural exchange through the visual arts. The exhibitions, permanent collections and artist exchanges connect people from the farthest corners of an international community. Extending our reach, amplifying our voice, and demonstrating our inclusiveness are strategic imperatives for America. Art in Embassies cultivates relationships that transcend boundaries, building trust, mutual respect and understanding among peoples. It is a fulcrum of America’s global leadership as we continue to work for freedom, human rights and peace around the world.” John Forbes Kerry U.S. Secretary of State (2013-present) “In the world of today, international relations are no longer exclusively, nor perhaps even primarily, relations between governments. They have become increasingly relations among peoples. Important among them are the great international communities of the arts. I am proud of the art in the embassies program, both because it represents important aspects of our national culture and because it is a cooperative enterprise which blends the ideas and energies of government and private citizens and organizations interested in the visual arts.” Dean Rusk U.S. Secretary of State (1961-69) “Art can help our national interests because many of the ambassadors we entertain have immense influence in their countries. The art is both a beacon and a bridge, and it helps people understand the diversity of cultures as well as our similarities.” Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke November 2000 U.S. Mission to United Nations, New York “Artistic and cultural programming has been at the heart of American diplomacy for many years. Even in situations where the United States has found no common ground with host countries, art has the power to unite people who are otherwise divided. In Sierra Leone, we are happy to share this [AIE] exhibit as one of many points of friendship and cooperation.” Ambassador June Carter Perry March 11, 2008 U.S. Embassy, Freetown, Sierra Leone “The Art in Embassies Program reveals the rich history and cultural heritage of the United States and the communal experiences that we share with peoples of different countries, backgrounds and faiths, binding us closer together. Through its temporary exhibitions and permanent collections, the Art in Embassies Program intrigues, educates, and connects -- playing an ambassadorial role as important as that served by traditional diplomacy.” Hillary Rodham Clinton U.S. Secretary of State (2009-2013) Directory: sites -> default -> files -> images images -> North Mankato Taylor Library images -> MR. justice teare images -> For immediate release press contacts images -> Class: 0 Date of birth: May 8 images -> Planned Adaptivity in Internet Protocol Standardization 1 Introduction images -> Nasa epscor call for Proposals fy 2013 introduction images -> Suny adirondack Nursing Program Information Guide images -> Kevin d shankwiler, idsa senior Lecturer School of Industrial Design College of Design, Georgia Institute of Technology images -> Catherine L. Ross 760 Spring Street, Suite 213 Atlanta, Georgia 30308 Download 16.29 Kb. Share with your friends:
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