On PBS’s NewsHour report Friday, January 2, Jeffrey Brown’s segment looked at the impact of the economy on arts institutions. Michael Kaiser, Director of the Kennedy Center, made a comment of the value of organizations at a time when all the creativity is in dire need. Still the program did not end on an upbeat note as it could have. People know why they go to museums–why don’t museums know this? Individuals attend a special exhibit or make a random visit to a museum but always coming to it with an idea. That is, they know they want to engage in reflective thinking and the complex process of mental play that weaves the imagination with observation. Along with engaging in this thought process, they will arrive at an informed judgement in order to match their mental wits against the greatest minds in modern art or scientific discoveries–or those who have lived centuries before us. Mr. Kaiser could have made the point that cultural institutions such as museums may offer one of the few wellsprings of innovation and creativity available in these challenging times.
