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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
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C19430
Cellist Pablo Casals bows to First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. (L-R) Ruth Ribicoff; Abraham Ribicoff, Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare; Mary Louise Day; Postmaster General J. Edward Day; Inés Mendoza de Muñoz; President John F. Kennedy; Governor of Puerto Rico Luis Muñoz Marín; Mr. Casals; First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy; Marta Casals; Rose Kennedy; Representative Adam Clayton Powell of New York (second row); Dorothy Goldberg; Secretary of Labor Arthur Goldberg. East Room, White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C19428
Cellist Pablo Casals stands before the audience after a performance at a dinner in honor of the Governor of Puerto Rico. (L-R) Unidentified man; Ruth Ribicoff; Abraham Ribicoff, Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare; Mary Louise Day; Postmaster General J. Edward Day; Inés Mendoza de Muñoz (mostly hidden behind Mr. Casals); Mr. Casals; President John F. Kennedy; Governor of Puerto Rico Luis Muñoz Marín; First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy; Marta Casals (mostly hidden behind Rose Kennedy); Rose Kennedy; Representative Adam Clayton Powell of New York (moustache, second row); Dorothy Goldberg; Secretary of Labor Arthur Goldberg. East Room, White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C19427
Cellist Pablo Casals stands before the audience after a performance at a dinner in honor of the Governor of Puerto Rico. (L-R) Unidentified man; Ruth Ribicoff; Abraham Ribicoff, Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare; Mary Louise Day; Postmaster General J. Edward Day; Mr. Casals; Inés Mendoza de Muñoz (partially hidden behind Mr. Casals); President John F. Kennedy; Governor of Puerto Rico Luis Muñoz Marín; First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy; Marta Casals; Rose Kennedy; Representative Adam Clayton Powell of New York (second row); Dorothy Goldberg; Secretary of Labor Arthur Goldberg. East Room, White House, Washington, D.C.