From its start NAAO was a hybrid organization. It was both a service and advocate for the field. The idea that you could be both for and against the government made NAAO a different fish altogether not only in its cooperative beginnings with the NEA but also because of the the idea you could simply be for the cause of art and artists, not in service to a cause considered to be of higher critical purpose, or importance. Some on the left have a problem with art being for itself but this is crazy way of looking at art. Art is a human creation that whether for itself or in service defines us as human — nothing greater or less — simply human. People mentioned in this trailer include Martha Wilson, Brian O'Doherty, Jim Melchert, Benny Andrews, Al Nodal, Renny Pritikin, Linda Goode Bryant, MK Wegmann, Claire Copley, Hudson, Inverna Lockpez, Helen Brunner, and Roberto Bedoya.

Penny joins us to talk about her early days as an artist and arts administrator in New York City before working for NAAO. Penny Boyer, PhD, is a San Antonio, Texas-based queer/disabled/neurodivergent writer/activist/social-practice-artist/community-arts-advocate/queerator/arts administrator with over forty years’ experience at local/regional/national/international levels.

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