    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [March 9, 1999]
    [Pages 334-335]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Congress Transmitting the Report of the National
    Endowment for the Arts
    March 9, 1999

    To the Congress of the United States:
        It is my pleasure to transmit herewith the Annual Report of the
    National Endowment for the Arts for Fiscal Year 1997.
        The Arts Endowment awards more than one thousand grants each year to
    nonprofit arts organizations for projects that bring the arts to
    millions of Americans. Once again, this year's grants reflect the
    diversity of our Nation's culture and the creativity of our artists.
    Whether seeing a classic theatrical production in Connecticut or an art
    exhibition in Arizona, whether listening to a symphony in Iowa or
    participating in a fine arts training program for inner-city students in
    Louisiana, Americans who benefit from Arts Endowment grants have
    experienced the power and joy of the arts in their lives.
        Arts Endowment grants in 1997 supported:
        projects in theater, dance, music, visual arts, and the
                other artistic disciplines, demonstrating that our diversity
                is an asset--

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                and helping us to interpret the past, understand each other
                in the present, and envision the future;
        folk and traditional arts programs, which strengthen and
                showcase our rich cultural heritage; and
        arts education, which helps improve our children's skills
                and enhances their lives with the richness of the arts.
        The arts challenge our imaginations, nourish our spirits, and help
    to sustain our democracy. We are a Nation of creators and innovators. As
    this report illustrates, the NEA continues to celebrate America's
    artistic achievements and makes the arts more accessible to the American
    people.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    March 9, 1999.