The life of the arts, far from being an interruption, a distraction, in the life of a nation, is very close to the center of a nation's purpose... and is a test of the quality of a nation's civilization.


"LOOK Magazine Article 'The Arts in America' (552)" December 18, 1962, Public Papers of the President: John F. Kennedy, 1962. Inscribed at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C.

John F. Kennedy Quotes

The life of the arts, far from being an interruption, a distraction, in the life of a nation, is very close to the center of a nation's purpose......

The life of the arts, far from being an interruption, a distraction, in the life of a nation, is very close to the center of a nation's purpose......

The life of the arts, far from being an interruption, a distraction, in the life of a nation, is very close to the center of a nation's purpose......

The life of the arts, far from being an interruption, a distraction, in the life of a nation, is very close to the center of a nation's purpose......