On September 30, President Biden signed an Executive Order reinstating the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities, which had been disbanded when all committee members resigned during the Trump administration. It was established in 1982 by President Ronald Reagan.
The committee is purely advisory, helping promote philanthropy and engagement in the arts while working with the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
“The arts, humanities and museum and library services are essential to the well-being, health, vitality and democracy of our Nation,” the order reads. “They are the soul of America, reflecting our multicultural and democratic experience.”
The order accompanied a proclamation designating October 2022 as National Arts and Humanities Month, wherein he calls on the people of the United States to “observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and celebrations.”
The Biden administration also has proposed increases in funding to federal arts agencies. Now that’s a reason to celebrate.