Welcome
From the Editors

FOCUS

Bringing Art to All Americans
A Conversation With Dana Gioia

The Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts -- himself a poet
and essayist -- addresses his agency's role in funding the arts
in the United States.

The Return of Beauty
By Terry Teachout

The events of September 11 brought a fundamental change in American culture. "Artists," as a leading critic puts it, "are increasingly willing to use the word beautiful without encasing it in the protective quotation marks of irony."

THE ART FORMS

Dance: A Constantly Evolving Tradition
By Octavio Roca

Candid shots of American artists on the move reveal the wide-open landscape of dance. From classical to modern to postmodern and beyond, American dance is alive and thriving.
Profile: Choreographer Robert Moses
A Conversation With Judith Jamison, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Music: The Quintessential American Sounds
By Tim Smith

As the century unfolds, the American music community -- from classical to hip-hop -- brims with both new talent and master music-makers.
Profile: Composer Elliot Goldenthal
A Conversation With David Gockley, Houston Grand Opera

Theater: Playwrights New and Old
By Chris Jones

Critically acclaimed young dramatists continue the American tradition of exploring social issues on stage.
Profile: Playwright Regina Taylor
A Conversation With Carey Perloff, American Conservatory Theater

Film: Movies and Modern America
By Richard Pells

Contemporary American movies, like the great films of earlier decades, reflect the intimate relationship between entertainment and art.
Profile: Filmmaker Alexander Payne
A Conversation With Geoffrey Gilmore, Sundance Film Festival

Literature: Snapshots From the Bridge
By Sven Birkerts

A new generation of highly ambitious writers, many with an international perspective, have arrived on the American literary scene.
Profile: Novelist Jill McCorkle
A Conversation With Editor and Publisher Jason Epstein

The Visual Arts: Blurring the Boundaries
By Eleanor Heartney

Contemporary American artists -- free to draw from every discipline, every art tradition, and every mode of presentation -- are redefining what art is.
Profile: Artist Tom Friedman
A Conversation With Kathy Halbreich, Walker Art Center

RESOURCES

Bibliography and Internet Sites

Photo Gallery

U.S. Society & Values

An electronic journal of the Department of State

Volume 8, Number 1, April 2003

The Office of International Information Programs of the U.S. Department of State provides products and services that explain U.S. policies, society, and values to foreign audiences. The Office publishes five electronic journals that examine major issues facing the United States and the international community. The journals -- Economic Perspectives, Global Issues, Issues of Democracy, U.S. Foreign Policy Agenda, and U.S. Society and Values -- provide statements of U.S. policy together with analysis, commentary, and background information in their thematic areas. All issues appear in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish language versions, and selected issues also appear in Arabic and Russian. English-language issues are published at approximately a one-month interval. Translated versions normally follow the English original by two to four weeks. The opinions expressed in the journals do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. government. The U.S. Department of State assumes no responsibility for the content and continued accessibility of Internet sites linked to herein; such responsibility resides solely with the publishers of those sites. Articles may be reproduced and translated outside the United States unless the articles carry explicit copyright restrictions on such use. Potential users of credited photos are obliged to clear such use with the indicated source. Current or back issues of the journals, and the roster of upcoming journals, can be found on the Office of International Information Programs' International Home Page on the World Wide Web at http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/journals.htm. They are available in several electronic formats to facilitate viewing on-line, transferring, downloading, and printing. Comments are welcome at your local U.S. Embassy or at the editorial offices: Editor, U..S. Society & Values Society and Values Team -- IIP/T/SV U.S. Department of State 301 4th Street SW Washington, D.C. 20547 United States of America [email protected]

Publisher  Judith S. Siegel;  Executive Editors  George Clack, Richard Lundberg;  Managing Editor  Michael J. Bandler;  Text Editor  Kathleen E. Hug;  Associate Editors, Reference/Research  Mary Ann V. Gamble, Kathy Spiegel;  Photo Editors  Maggie Johnson Sliker, Joann Stern;  Contributing Editor Rosalie Targonski;  Art Director/Graphic Designer  Thaddeus A. Miksinski, Jr.;  Graphics Assistant  Sylvia Scott;  Internet Editor  Christian Larson;  Editorial Board James Bullock, George Clack, Judith S. Siegel