President Obama expands arts committee with famed architects and artists

on Wednesday,November 04,2009 20:11

In a move that highlights the importance of art and design in education and daily life, President Barack Obama has named a diverse assortment of new officers - including several notable architects, authors and actors - to America''s arts and humanities committee.

The organization partners with the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute of Museum and Library Services to promote, support and celebrate programs that encourage education in design and the arts.

"The arts are not just a nice thing to have or to do if there is free time or if one can afford it," claims First Lady and Honorary Chairman Michelle Obama on the organization''s website. "Rather paintings and poetry, music ... design and dialogue, they all define who we are as a people and provide an account of our history for the next generation."

The committee boasts a robust roster of architects, designers, musicians, authors, politicians and cultural mavens including Pritszker Prize winning Architect Thom Mayne, Cellist Yo-Yo Ma, famed actor Forrest Whitaker and independent film producer Liz Manne.