Culture and Company: A Critical Study of an Improbable Alliance by Alvin H. Reiss (review)

Books 73 On the other hand, the participant from Romania called for a ‘militant theatre’ (p. 58), holding that the role of artists is to be agents of revolutionary change. He pointed out that ‘...from the outset, Romanian theatre has provided invaluable support for action to achieve national liberty and socialjustice’(p. 57). For all this diversity of views, the symposium produced more agreement than might have been expected. The participants called for artists to be less isolated, to assume a more central role in society and they were generally agreed that artists deserve some sort of state support for their work. Culture and Company: A Critical Study of an Improbable Alliance. Alvin H. Reiss. Twayne, New York, 1972. 309 pp. $8.95. Reviewedby Lincoln Rothschild’ This book does an astounding job within its set limits. However, it is couched in terms that suggest a degreeof social advance that is not really encountered when the growing connections between art and business in the U S A . are closely examined. Many instances are reported in detail on the use of corporate profits to maintain the financial viability of cultural activities in the face of inflationary costs and of a long history of elitist unconcern for a widespread acceptance of art. As a reportage of the path followed since about the end of World War 11, the book is virtually a miraculous collection of information on activities, personalities and events that have taken place throughout the country. Indeed, the initial reaction one might have is wonderment as to why concern must be whipped up over so flourishing a phase of these activities. However, scattered hints of resistance or indifference are played down in this enthusiastic presentation of what has been done and how it might be done on a much grander scale; but the hints reveal that, considering the resources available, only a small number of the general public have been affected and that it will be less easy to increasethe number. Nevertheless, the author recommends the vigorous pursuit of plans that he outlines at various points in the book on the basis of what has been done. The survival problems of cultural organizations is covered in detail, with discussions of annual deficits, program curtailments and rescues in cliffhanging situations accompanied by the cry ‘We’ve done it before, we can do it again’. Comprehensive outlines present ingenioussuggestionson how relations between business and the art world might be expanded, as though an improvement of their expansion would provide a solution to the difficulties The book cannot be faulted for any glaring inadequacy within its chosen limits. Two aspects of the widening dissemination of the arts, however, need further consideration. (1) Are other sources of community patronage available to replace the wealthy individual collector, whose passing is briefly discussed in the first part of the book? (2) What must be done to adapt the arts to the rapidly changing social patterns in the U.S.A. in order to take their promotion out of the ‘improbable alliance’of the book’s title? To be sure, in respect to the first question several important aspects of it are touched upon. The appropriateness of concern for the arts by labor unions is suggested, in view of agitation for a shorter work week. Philanthropic foundations are mentioned, generally in citation of various studies that have been published on the role of the arts in contemporary society. Social and political groups are proposed as means of promotion and coordination. Federal government funds and their distribution at national and local levels are reviewed at some length, especially the activities of the U.S.National Foundation for the Arts and Humanities. The policy of confining recipients of funds to existing agencies and of firmly proscribing any effort to influencethe nature of their established programs is appropriately cited. The author ignores the Federal Art Project of the 1930s and its dramatic accomplishments. Throughout the book concern is devoted primarily to the performing arts. No referenceis made to changes of form and *63 LivingstonAve., Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522, U S A . content in art works that might be extrapolated from works of the past, as though only something radically new will...