Downloading Tip: If clicking the link above opens the file in your browser, it may help to hold the "Alt" or "Option" key when clicking on the link. Alternatively, you can right-click and select "Save Link As" to download this file.
About Oral History
Digital Identifier
JFKOH-AUG-01
Interviewee(s)
Heckscher, August, 1913-1997
Biographical Note
(1913 - 1997) Special Consultant to the President on the Arts, the first White House cultural adviser (1962 - 1963)
Interviewer(s)
Wolf von Eckhardt
Access Restriction Status
Open
Use Restriction Status
None
Description
In this interview Heckscher discusses John F. Kennedy [JFK] and Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis as an “inspiration to cultural life”; Heckscher’s involvement in government affairs prior to becoming a Special Consultant to the President; the invitation of 168 artists to JFK’s 1961 inauguration and its impact; how Heckscher came to work for the White House; discussing Heckscher’s position with Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.; the reasoning behind the creation of the new position of Special Consultant on the Arts and the favorable public reaction to it; enlarging the definition of “The Arts,” especially regarding architecture; Arthur Goldberg; the establishment of the Freedom Medal; creating the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts through executive order; personal impressions of JFK; setting up Heckscher’s office and staff; how Heckscher was meant to advise JFK and what his position entailed; the Cultural Center [Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts]; conversations with JFK; Mrs. Kennedy’s expansive work for the arts; the arts as part of national policy; working with other White House staff members and other Departments; designing special postage stamps; what the President’s role in the arts should be; and the Fine Arts Commission, among other issues.
Date(s) of Materials
10 December 1965
Deed Status
Deeded
Copyright Status
Donated to the United States
Collection
Series
Series 1. John F. Kennedy Oral History Interviews, 1964-2012.
Preferred Citation
August Heckscher, recorded interview by Wolf von Eckhardt, December 10, 1965, (page number), John F. Kennedy Library Oral History Program.
Subject(s)
Person(s)
Organization(s)
Place(s)
Use Restriction Note
Some of the archival materials in this collection may be subject to copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Users of these materials are advised to determine the copyright status of any document from which they wish to publish.
Associated Record
Accession Number
OH 1966-083
Transcript
Page Last Updated
October 28, 2023 9:18:57 AM EDT