AR (Arts) (White House Central Files: Staff Member and Office Files)

This subject category is composed primarily of correspondence, newspaper clippings and other printed materials, and cross references and referrals concerning administration policy toward the arts and, most importantly, public views on the arts and artistic expressions of support and affection for the President and the country. Related subject categories in the White House Central Files include Messages (ME), Public Relations (PR), Invitations (IV), President (personal) (PP), Gifts (GI), and countries (CO).

AR ARTS

The executive file contains materials on the administration's arts policy, individual creative arts proposals, proposed artistic performances at the White House, invitations to the First Family to attend artistic events, appointments, the Smithsonian Institution, relations with foreign nations regarding the importation of cultural treasures, and political support for the President among artistic figures.

The General file contains correspondence advocating opinions regarding appointments, funding for the arts, and various actions affecting the arts. Also present are invitations to members of the First Family to attend artistic events.

AR 1 LANGUAGES

The Executive file concerns the promotion of English as a universal language, Bible translation, and other translation matters.

The General file contains correspondence advocating opinions regarding bilingual education, foreign language study, foreign language broadcasts, Bible translation, and interpreters for the 1972 China trip.

AR 2 MUSEUMS

The Executive file holds materials concerning establishing new museums (the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of Negro History and Culture, the American Museum of Immigration, and the Brandywine River Museum), requests for Presidential patronage and expressions of support, requests for loans of moon rocks and a lunar module for exhibit purposes, and Presidential expressions of congratulation to museums.

The General file concerns requests for exhibits and the establishment of an urban photographic archive project. Also present are invitations to the President to visit museums.

AR 3 MUSIC

The Executive file includes invitations to the President to attend performances, Presidential letters to musical performers and composers remembering birthdays and expressing appreciation, gratitude and congratulations, and Presidential letters of encouragement to students and teachers of music. Proposed Presidential meetings with musical performers are also discussed.

The General file includes letters from the public inviting the President to join organizations or attend musical performances, offering to perform at the White House, requesting help in publishing songs, and enclosing songs written for the President. Many letters from children are also present.

AR 3-1 SERVICE BANDS -- CHOIRS

The Executive file contains letters inviting the President to attend band performances, letters expressing gratitude for band performances, and material concerning band performances at the White House.

The General file holds letters from the public requesting performances of particular military bands.

AR 3-1/FG 14 SERVICE BANDS -- CHOIRS/DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
AR 3-1/FG 15 SERVICE BANDS -- CHOIRS/DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
AR 3-1/FG 15-5 SERVICE BANDS -- CHOIRS/MARINE CORPS
AR 3-1/FG 16 SERVICE BANDS -- CHOIRS/DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

The Executive files contain Presidential congratulatory letters, invitations to the President to attend performances, and requests for band appearances.

The General file contains invitations to the President to attend performances, and requests for band appearances.

AR 4 PAINTINGS AND DRAWINGS

The Executive file holds Presidential congratulatory letters sent to artists, letters from the public, including those from children, and materials concerned with paintings in the White House complex, the Andrew Wyeth exhibit, borrowing art from Russia, the return of a smuggled Raphael to Italy, and the presentation of a portrait of Mao Tse-tung to Mao Tse-tung. A few schedule proposals are included.

The General file includes invitations to the President to attend and sponsor art exhibitions, letters from artists sending samples of their work, and children's letters enclosing their drawings. Children's letters and drawings strongly dominate the sub-category beginning in 1971. Subjects discussed include the official Presidential portrait, proposals for art exhibits at the White House, the controversy over the mural at the District of Columbia Bicentennial Commission office, and administration policy toward the arts.

AR 5 POETRY - PROSE - WRITING - MANUSCRIPTS

The Executive file includes poems from children and others of the general public, letters from members of Congress enclosing constituent mail, and White House staff memoranda forwarding articles, quotations, and the like.

The General file holds primarily poems from the general public. A few essays on various foreign and domestic policy subjects are also included.

AR 6 SCULPTURE

The Executive file holds material on such subjects as sculptures of the President, in every medium, from bronze to wax to snow, loans of sculptures from foreign countries, and the return of stolen sculptures to foreign countries.

The General file includes proposals to make, exhibit or restore sculptures, or honor sculptors.

AR 7 THEATER

The executive file includes invitations to the President to attend plays, proposals to produce plays, Presidential messages to theater groups, and schedule proposals to permit the President to attend plays. One subject covered is the President's participation in the Ford's Theater television special on American folk music.

The General file includes invitations to the President to attend theatrical performances, and letters expressing public views on the theater. Subjects discussed include a proposal to bring South American theater productions to the United States, a proposal for theater contacts with foreign countries, and administration policy regarding the theater.