During his little more than a thousand days in office, President Kennedy worked to remind Americans they could achieve great things as citizens of the nation and the world.
He inspired people to enter public service by taking jobs in government or the newly created Peace Corps. He set into motion initiatives like civil rights legislation and space exploration. And through his words and examples, President Kennedy raised awareness of the importance of the arts in America.
This series marks the 50th anniversary of a remarkable presidency by exploring the impact the Kennedy years had on the creative lives of people in America and around the world. Join actor Richard Dreyfuss to learn all President Kennedy did for the arts in America.
Today we consider big-name celebrity concerts broadcast from the White House to be routine. But that wasn't the case before the Kennedy Administration. More concerts, ballets and operas were staged inside the White House for President and Mrs. Kennedy than ever had been before or ever have been since. Actor Richard Dreyfuss takes us through the roster of singers, dancers and musicians both young and old who performed in the Kennedy years.
We know President Kennedy for the Cuba Missile Crisis and the Peace Corps. But why is there a performing arts center named after him? Well it turns out President Kennedy made the arts a special cause: He opened the White House to the greatest international and American artists and to ordinary citizens alike. Initiatives led by the Kennedy family brought the Mona Lisa came to America for the first and only time; the White House went through a renovation that revolutionized the way Americans thought about art history. Join actor Richard Dreyfuss to learn all President Kennedy did for the arts in America.
Narrator
Richard Dreyfuss
Audio Producer
Richard Paul
Producer
Kenny Neal
Published
September 9, 2019
Discover the multicultural heritage and history of the United States of America through explorations of immigrant life, the lives of legendary pioneers like Lewis and Clark, the modern political system, and significant works of American music, including our National Anthem.
Learn about America’s most famous leaders and their appreciations and influences over the arts; from Lincoln’s connection to music, to Kennedy’s advocacy for the arts, to the importance placed in having White House photographers capture the president’s everyday achievements.
Eric Friedman
Director, Digital Learning
Kenny Neal
Manager, Digital Education Resources
Tiffany A. Bryant
Manager, Operations and Audience Engagement
JoDee Scissors
Content Specialist, Digital Learning
Generous support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by the U.S. Department of Education.
Gifts and grants to educational programs at the Kennedy Center are provided by The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; Bank of America; Capital One; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; Carnegie Corporation of New York; The Ednah Root Foundation; Harman Family Foundation; William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust; the Kimsey Endowment; The Kiplinger Foundation; Laird Norton Family Foundation; Lois and Richard England Family Foundation; Dr. Gary Mather and Ms. Christina Co Mather; The Markow Totevy Foundation; Dr. Gerald and Paula McNichols Foundation; The Morningstar Foundation; Myra and Leura Younker Endowment Fund; The Irene Pollin Audience Development and Community Engagement Initiatives;
Prince Charitable Trusts; Dr. Deborah Rose and Dr. Jan A. J. Stolwijk; Rosemary Kennedy Education Fund; The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates; The Victory Foundation; The Volgenau Foundation; Volkswagen Group of America; Jackie Washington; GRoW @ Annenberg and Gregory Annenberg Weingarten and Family; Wells Fargo; and generous contributors to the Abe Fortas Memorial Fund and by a major gift to the fund from the late Carolyn E. Agger, widow of Abe Fortas. Additional support is provided by the National Committee for the Performing Arts..
The content of these programs may have been developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education but does not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the federal government.
