“Art is not a treasure in the past or an importation from another land, but part of the present life of all living and creating peoples.”
- January 30, 1882 – April 12, 1945
- American
- Politician
- [Achievements]
- As president of the United States, he promoted economic recovery from the Great Depression with the New Deal policy
- He led the Allied powers to victory in World War II
- [Criticism]
- His hard-line policy toward Japan triggered the attack on Pearl Harbor
- He pushed for the forced internment policy of Japanese Americans due to racist feelings toward the Japanese
- He promoted the Manhattan Project, a plan to develop the atomic bomb
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Quote
“Art is not a treasure in the past or an importation from another land, but part of the present life of all living and creating peoples.”
Explanation
In this quote, Franklin D. Roosevelt stresses that art is not something to be revered only as a historical artifact or an external influence, but an essential, living part of the present-day experience of a nation and its people. He suggests that art should be seen as a dynamic expression of contemporary life, a tool for creativity, and a reflection of the values, struggles, and aspirations of the people living in the present moment. Roosevelt’s view is that art is integral to the culture and identity of a society, not something that exists solely in the past or imported from other cultures.
This statement also reflects Roosevelt’s belief in the role of public art and cultural expression in society. During his presidency, particularly in the context of the New Deal, Roosevelt supported programs that funded art and cultural projects, believing that art was essential not only for personal expression but for the spiritual and cultural recovery of a nation in crisis. Through programs like the Federal Art Project, he aimed to make art accessible to all, recognizing that it has the power to unite and inspire people.
In modern contexts, this quote serves as a reminder that art continues to play an essential role in society, whether through visual arts, music, literature, or performance. Art is not just a commodity to be preserved or admired from a distance, but a living, evolving force that shapes and reflects the experiences and creativity of contemporary communities. Roosevelt’s words encourage us to appreciate art not as something detached from daily life, but as a vital expression of the present, woven into the fabric of society and reflective of its people’s ongoing journey.
