An important and unique contribution to the literature on the arts in America . . . one that will stand tall on the shelves for quite a few years to come.

--Milton C. Cummings Jr., author of The Patron State: Government and the Arts in Europe, North America, and Japan

Art and entertainment constitute America's second-largest export. Most Americans--96 percent, to be exact--are somehow involved in the arts, whether as audience participants, hobbyists, or via broadcast, recording, video, or the Internet. The contribution of the arts to the U.S. economy is stunning: the nonprofit arts industry alone contributes over 857 billion dollars per year, and American artists enjoy world-class status. Despite its size, quality, and economic impact, the arts community is not articulate about how to serve the public interest, and few citizens have an appreciation of the many public policies that influence American arts and culture. The contributors to this volume argue that support for the arts and culture is good economic and trade policy and contributes to the quality of life and community, while it sustains the creativity of American artists and organizations.

Joni Maya Cherbo writes, "This book prompted an entire series published by Rutgers University Press  called The Public Life of the Arts in America, including another edited, updated volume ten years later, 'Understanding the Arts and Creative Sector in the United States.'   Since then I have been actively engaged in promoting cultural diplomacy – a component of Hilary Clinton’s 'soft power,' with lots of interest among the federal cultural agencies and elsewhere.  American Assembly co-chair Frank Hodsoll and I started a nonprofit, The Resource Center for Cultural Engagement (RCCE), to establish a web portal for the global arts community --- rather like a Facebook for the arts with lots of information to facilitate global partnerships.   RCCE has partnered with a well-known UK organization,  Visiting Arts, in developing the portal."