'Picturing America'

The following is an excerpt from remarks made by the chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, Bruce Cole, at the New York City roll-out of Picturing America.

Picturing America is the newest element of the National Endowment for the Humanities' "We the People" program, which encourages and strengthens the teaching and understanding of American history and culture.

Picturing America uses great American art to ensure that our common heritage and ideals are known, studied, and remembered. And by putting art back in schools, it will give millions of students and families — regardless of their means or where they live — the chance to experience every day the power of great art in their lives.

Works of art are more than mere ornaments for the elite; they are primary documents of a civilization. A written record or a textbook tells you one thing — but a painting, sculpture, or building reveals something else entirely. Our students and citizens deserve to see American art that shows us where we have come from ... what we have endured ... and where we are headed.

With this in mind, the NEH has chosen notable American works of art that will help students and citizens of all ages connect to the people, places, events, and ideas that have shaped our nation.

Picturing America is a diverse selection of American masterpieces. It includes paintings such as Grant Wood's "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" and Winslow Homer's "The Veteran in a New Field" — both of which reside at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in this city.

Picturing America also includes landmarks of American architecture and design, including two from New York: the Brooklyn Bridge and the Chrysler Building.

Through Picturing America, the NEH is distributing 40 large, high-quality reproductions of these masterpieces to tens of thousands of schools and public libraries — including public, private, parochial, and charter schools, and home school associations. Included with the reproductions is an in-depth Teachers Resource Book, which helps educators use the images to teach history, literature, civics, and other subjects. There is an accompanying Web site, www. PicturingAmerica.neh.gov.

Picturing America has received strong support here in New York. Before the April 15 deadline, we received applications from more than 3,000 schools and public libraries in New York State.

Today, I'm pleased to announce that the entire New York City public school system — more than 1,400 schools — will receive Picturing America sets this fall.

Let me congratulate the chancellor of the New York City Department of Education, Joel Klein, Deputy Chancellor Marcia Lyles, and the entire New York City school system. Without your support and passion for this program, this outstanding result would never have been possible. You have demonstrated a real commitment to Picturing America, and I'm confident it will be a wonderful learning resource for teachers and students here in New York City.

The heart of Picturing America is the images. One way teachers can use this program is to show students how art conveys a common theme or principle from our history. Several of the images provide a wonderful way to study our founding principles of freedom and equality.

One is Washington Crossing the Delaware — another painting located at the Met. When we think of the American Revolution, this is one of the first images that springs to mind — which shows how powerfully a work of art can shape our historical memory.

The general stands resolute in the lead boat with his men, as they strain to navigate the icy waters, while the American flag flies above them. This painting reminds us just how perilous and improbable the American Revolution was — and how strongly the Founders believed in the principles they were fighting for: freedom and equality.

There's also a memorable image from the 20th century: a photograph of the Selma-to-Montgomery march for voting rights in 1965.

This image captures the courage and determination of the foot soldiers of the civil rights movement. Just as in the painting of Washington and his men, the American flag plays a central role. Four figures at the front of the group march briskly in unison. They are not armed — but like the soldiers crossing the Delaware, they press forward, resolved to uphold our founding principles.

These two works of art vividly remind us that freedom and equality, while never easy, are the precious birthright of all Americans — and every generation must be courageous in defending these principles.

Over the past few months, I've visited schools that received Picturing America during its pilot phase. I've been deeply moved by the enthusiasm and creativity that Picturing America sparks in our young people. By appealing to our citizens' eyes, Picturing America will make an indelible impression on their minds and hearts. It will show them that great art can play a meaningful role in their lives. And it will prepare and inspire them, as they add their own chapters to America's remarkable story.