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Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-AUG-01
In this interview Heckscher discusses John F. Kennedy [JFK] and Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis as an “inspiration to cultural life”; Heckscher’s involvement in government affairs prior to becoming a Special Consultant to the President; the invitation of 168 artists to JFK’s 1961 inauguration and its impact; how Heckscher came to work for the White House; discussing Heckscher’s position with Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.; the reasoning behind the creation of the new position of Special Consultant on the Arts and the favorable public reaction to it; enlarging the definition of “The Arts,” especially regarding architecture; Arthur Goldberg; the establishment of the Freedom Medal; creating the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts through executive order; personal impressions of JFK; setting up Heckscher’s office and staff; how Heckscher was meant to advise JFK and what his position entailed; the Cultural Center [Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts]; conversations with JFK; Mrs. Kennedy’s expansive work for the arts; the arts as part of national policy; working with other White House staff members and other Departments; designing special postage stamps; what the President’s role in the arts should be; and the Fine Arts Commission, among other issues.
Photograph folder
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-1963-01-18-I
AR31, ST19
Photograph folder
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-1962-11-29-C
AR29
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-AR7606-N
Master of ceremonies, composer, and conductor Leonard Bernstein (left), speaks at a fundraising dinner and closed-circuit telecast of "An American Pageant of the Arts" for the National Cultural Center; President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy attended the dinner. At the head table (L-R): Secretary of the Treasury, C. Douglas Dillon; unidentified; Secretary of State, Dean Rusk; Nina Warren, wife of Earl Warren, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; Mr. Bernstein; chairman of the dinner committee for the National Cultural Center, Suzanne Gardner; Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson; President Kennedy; Mrs. Kennedy; Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the National Cultural Center, Roger L. Stevens; Lady Bird Johnson; Chief Justice Warren; and Virginia Rusk, wife of Secretary Rusk. National Guard Armory, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-AR7606-K
President John F. Kennedy, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, and others attend a fundraising dinner and closed-circuit telecast of "An American Pageant of the Arts" for the National Cultural Center. Left to right: Nina Warren (seated), wife of Earl Warren, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; master of ceremonies, composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein; chairman of the dinner committee for the National Cultural Center, Suzanne Gardner; Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson; Mrs. Kennedy; and President Kennedy. National Guard Armory, Washington, D.C.