Open.
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Files of August Heckscher, special consultant to President Kennedy on the arts, 1962 - 1963, were donated to the Kennedy Library in 1965 as part of the papers of John F. Kennedy.
Withdrawn Items
This material first became available for research use in July 1972. Before that time, 113 items were removed and placed under seal. These relate primarily to the employment of individuals in government cultural agencies or contain information that could embarrass, injure, or harass living persons. Document withdrawal slips have been inserted in the file where items have been removed. The Library will review this closed material annually for the purpose of opening items, that no longer require restriction.
September 1972.
Jo August
August Heckscher served as President Kennedy's special consultant on the arts. He took this appointment in March 1962 and held it part-time, simultaneously directing the Twentieth Century Fund of New York. Mr. Heckscher understood his three main responsibilities as the first White House cultural advisor to be: (a) to set up the general framework of the office and secure a full-time successor; (b) to prepare a report for the president on government and the arts; and (c) to establish an advisory council on the arts. When Mr. Heckscher resigned from this post in June 1963 he felt that the goals he had set for himself and the position had been accomplished.
1913, Sept. 16
Born: Huntington, New York
1936
B.A., Yale University
1939
M.A., Harvard University
1939 - 1941
Instructor of government, Yale University
1941 - 1945
Office of Strategic Services
1946 - 1948
Editor, The Citizen Advertiser Auburn, New York
1948 - 1956
Editorial Staff, New York Herald Tribune
1957 - 1962
Art Commissioner, N.Y.C.
1957 - 1967
Director, Twentieth Century Fund
1962-1963
Special Consultant on the Arts for President Kennedy
1965
Member, New York: State Council on the Arts
1967
Administrator of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs and Commissioner of Parks of New York City
1997
Died
The White House Staff Files of August Heckscher include correspondence, press releases, invitations, speeches, appointment books, memoranda, publications, and newsclippings regarding the arts. Topics include the development of cultural programs and policy within government agencies and the administration of President John F. Kennedy, planning of the National Cultural Center (later known as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts), and the development of state arts councils.
The files are altered only slightly from their original format, and are arranged in seven series, which are in turn broken into subseries by subject. Two boxes of publications have been removed and incorporated into the library's printed materials collection.
Arranged alphabetically by subject, thereunder alphabetical or chronological.
This series contains copies of outgoing correspondence and memoranda to the White House, files of the Advisory Council on the Arts, appointment books, speeches, invitations, press clippings, and reports.
Arranged alphabetically by art form.
This series contains annual reports, newsletters, pamphlets, and other publications of cultural organizations, professional associations, and foundations; newspaper clippings; and correspondence with various organizations and individuals.
Arranged alphabetically by subject.
This series contains memoranda, correspondence, press releases, news clippings, invitations, and reports regarding the study, support, and proliferation of the arts. Also included are materials on the establishment of the National Cultural Center (later known as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts) and the history and documentation of state art councils.
Four (4) 8 x 10 black and white glossy photographs of architectural models and drawings
Two (2) 8 x 10 black and white glossy photographs of the plan of the National Cultural Center Building in Washington, D.C.
Arranged alphabetically by subject.
This series contains background material on the establishment of presidential advisory councils; brochures, pamphlets, memoranda, and correspondence on government cultural activities and artistic efforts; copies of legislation; a Bureau of the Budget survey on government activities in the arts; and additional materials on national arts programs.
Arranged alphabetically by subject.
This series contains copies of presidential messages, press releases, articles, speeches, correspondence, memoranda, lists of participants and award winners, and brochures and other printed materials regarding the planning of White House cultural activities.
Arranged by subject.
This series contains Washington City Plan files, articles, press clippings, correspondence, brochures, and other printed materials regarding cultural activities and organizations in the District of Columbia.
Arranged by type, thereunder chronological.
This series contains copies of committee hearings; government documents and reports; annual reports and other publications of arts councils and festival programs; and Wingspread Conference materials.