To Nourish the Roots of Our Culture

Perspectives from The Artist's Road

“I see little of more importance to the future of our country and our civilization
than full recognition of the place of the artist.”

President Kennedy with Robert Frost

In October, 1963, John F. Kennedy delivered a speech at Amherst College—a tribute to poet Robert Frost, who had died in January of that year. Kennedy was assassinated the following month on November 22, 1963. Frost had spoken at Kennedy’s inaugural ceremony two years earlier. As we seem to be in a time when the arts are not so much a topic in the politics of our country, it is refreshing to read Kennedy’s words again:

Here is a favorite excerpt from the speech:

“Robert Frost coupled poetry and power, for he saw poetry as the means of saving power from itself. When power leads men towards arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the areas of man’s concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of his existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanse…