First Lady Shows Her Support for the Arts

ArtsJournal.com blogger Lee Rosenbaum has posted First Lady Michelle Obama’s speech at yesterday’s ribbon cutting for the new American Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Fine Arts in New York. Among her remarks in support of providing access to the arts for all Americans, Mrs. Obama said:

The President and I want to ensure that all children have access to great works of art at museums like the one here.  We want them to have access to great poets and musicians in theaters around the country, to arts education in their schools and community workshops. We want all children who believe in their talent to see a way to create a future for themselves in the arts community, be it as a hobby or as a profession.

The arts are not just a nice thing to have or to do if there is free time or if one can afford it.  Rather, paintings and poetry, music and fashion, design and dialogue, they all define who we are as a people and provide an account of our history for the next generation.

We couldn’t agree more. Read the full speech.