NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS THE NATIONAI~ MEDAL OF ARTS DESIGNED BY ROBERT GRAHAM. IT IS AWARDED ANNUALEY BY THE PRESIDENT TO INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS DESERVING OF SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBU­ TIONS TO THE EXCELLENCE, GROWTH, SUPPORT, AND AVAIkABILITY OF THE ARTS IN THE UNITED STATES. THE MEDAk WAS PROPOSED BY PRESI­ DENT REAGAN IN 1983 AND ENACTED INTO [.AW IN 1984. PILOTO: ~LARRY CHAPMANI987. 1986 ANNUAL REPORT National Endowment for the Arts Washington, D.C. Dear Mr. President: I have the honor to submit to you the Annual Report of the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Council on the Arts for the Fiscal Year ended September 30, 1986. Respectfully, Frank Hodsoll Chairman The President The White House Washington, D.C. April 1987 CONTENTS CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT 1 THE AGENCY AND ITS FUNCTIONS 5 THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON THE ARTS7 PROGRAMS 9 Dance 11 Design Arts 25 Expansion Arts 33 Folk Arts 51 Inter-Arts 61 Literature 73 Media Arts: Film/Radio/Television 83 Museum 95 Music 117 Opera-Musical Theater 149 Theater 157 Visual Arts 167 OFFICE FOR PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP 181 Artists in Education 183 Education Program 187 Locals Test Program 189 State Programs 193 OFFICE FOR PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP197 Challenge 199 Advancement 203 OFFICE OF POLICY, PLANNING, AND RESEARCH 209 Fellowship Program for Arts Managers 210 International 72 Research 212 Special Constituencies 215 APPENDIX 217 Statement of Mission 218 Advisory Panels 219 Financial Summary 239 History of Authorizations and Appropriations 240 CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT Since over 95 percent of support Another important factor involves Ouf 1986 Annual Report lists for the arts derives from private, new technologies which are radically 4,553 grants by program atea state and local sources, continuing altering the means of public access aggregating $146.6 million; these upward trends in these sources of to both popular culture and the reflect the range of activity of the support, particularly private nonprofit arts. For 1986, video National Endowment for the Arts in support, remain crucial. According cassette revenues may have exceeded Fiscal Year 1986. Once again, we to the American Association of theatrical showing revenues by over are grateful to the 596 panelists and Fund-Raising Counsel, total giving a half-billion dollars. By 1990, VCR 27 members of the National Council increased by approximately 13 ownership is expected to reach 55 on the Arts who advise us on our percent in 1985, reaching an percent of all television households, work. estimated level of $5.09 billion (up presenting major distribution 52 percent from 1981). While opportunities for many art forms. ENVIRONMENT enactment of the Tax Reform Act Other technological changes, such as of 1986 (TRA) has raised questions the spread of cable systems and the The nation has now entered its fifth about future private contributions to introduction of compact disc year of sustained economic the arts, we believe that only the recording, are yet to be fully recovery; inflation, which placed TRA provision with respect to gifts explored and used. severe strains on the finances of arts of appreciated property (important The population continues to age organizations in the late 1970s, last for museum accessions and lead and to shift slightly toward the West year dropped to the lowest level in gifts in major fundraising and South, and from central cities over two decades. The outlook for campaigns) is likely to have negative toward exurbs. Arts organizations continuing real growth in the arts implications; it is still too early to will need to respond to the special fields served by the Endowment will tell what the degree of this negative needs of older participants. New depend in large part on continuing impact might be. cultural "infrastructure" or general economic prosperity. Support from state and local innovative distribution systems may The Bureau of Economic Analysis governments is also strong. The be required to serve new or growing reports that in 1985 revenues of National Assembly of State Arts communities. Hispanic components not-for-profit performing arts events Agencies reported in November 1986 of the population will play an increased 11 percent, for the first that state appropriations for the arts increasing role in shaping the time exceeding revenues from for Fiscal Year 1987 total $216.6 nation’s cultural expectations, admission to sporting events. Real million, an increase of 10.8 percent particularly as Immigration Reform GNP grew 2.7 percent in Fiscal Year versus Fiscal Year 1986 (and up 96.5 legislation legalizes large numbers of 1986, and is forecast to grow percent from 1981). This figure people of Hispanic origin in Florida another 3.2 percent in Fiscal Year represents a record high, and again and the Southwest. 1987. This growth should assist the exceeds the budget of the Arts arts generally. During 1986, the Endowment. Local government number of artists employed grew 2 support for the arts has also percent versus 1985, consistent with increased substantially during recent the rate of growth of general civilian years, and the National Assembly of employment. Local Arts Agencies estimates that city and county government support of the arts is expected to increase 109 percent in the period from 1986 to 1988. CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT ART FORM Space needs ate cited in a number Improved access to commercial of areas in the performing arts; the distribution mechanisms is being Concern continues that financial increased cost of rental space has sought in the area of music stability is being achieved at the become a serious problem for dance recording, book publishing, and expense of quality or daring and and theater in several cities, and film-video production. The Music that too much reliance is placed on many organizations are threatened Program is funding a recording "safe" repertoire, stars, and with losing their space or having to study with regard to the recording blockbuster performances and devote increasing portions of budget and distribution of the work of exhibitions. On the other hand, the toward rent. There is a need for America’s composers. The craft of performance and smaller second houses to Literature Program has sponsored a production has never been higher; accomodate performance of conference with the Library of orchestras are performing more chamber-scale and new work in Congress’s Center for the Book to American music, but still not opera and musical theater. The analyze literary distribution and enough; more than thirty new opera development of improved facilities is look for solutions. The Media Arts and musical theater works have been a concern for mid-sized Program plans to study the issue of produced by major opera organizations in several fields, vídeo cassette distribution and the companiesover the last three years; including dance, expansion arts, and past record of distribution of the and major and emerging folk arts. product of Endowment production choreographers are developing There is a need for increased, grants in order to see how important new work. imaginative use of media on behalf distribution might be improved. Insufficient jobs relative to of the art form and artists, as well talented people seeking careers in as audiences. Last year we funded the arts remains an issue in the two new series, American Masters AUDIENCES performing arts, as does artist and Alive from Off Center; Over the past year, the Endowment compensation, which varies widely America by Design, a series on has continued to develop between fields and within fields. It architecture and design, will air next information regarding broadened is not clear to what extent the fall. There are needs for dance availability and appreciation of the various fie!ds will be able to, or series to help build audiences arts. Of particular interest has been should, expand to support more knowledgeable about the history of creative and performing artists, or a series of Research Division Notes dance, and for additional television providing detailed analysis of data how feasible extension of the paid outlets for ethnic dance, expanded derived from the Study of Public seasons of performing arts presentation of folk artists on Participation in the Arts. companies will be in the foreseeable television and radio, and creative We need to develop, in future. Career entry, transition, and development of opera and musical training problems are cited in the cooperation with public agencies at theater production for television, the regional, state, and local levels, fields of dance, music, and theater, The Museum Program notes the comprehensive strategies to broaden need to address compensation and availability and deepen appreciation job security, as well as improved of the arts nationwide. The needs skills, of museum professionals, and aspirations of rural communities in particular deserve our attention. CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT Several trends in media have President Reagan and the ¯ Arts in Education implications for the arts and Congress are also allies in this The Endowment has broadened audiences: the decline in commercial cause, and in 1985 the Congress its former Artists in Education network share of television viewer added explicit language to the Program into a new Arts in time, expansion of VCR ownership, Endowment’s enabling legislation Education Program with the goal and the growing reach of cable making arts education in the schools of encouraging serious and systems. Technological advances an explicit purpose of the sequential study of the arts asa (video cassette, compact discs, Endowment’s existence and part of basic education. stereo television, as well as mandating by the end of 1987 a cable/satellite) have the potential for study and report to the President ¯ Local Programs reaching audiences with a greater and the Congress on the state of An extensive evaluation of the diversity of fare.