press room

For Immediate Release

Event:
The 14th Annual Nancy Hanks Lecture on arts and public policy, a free lecture and reception featuring The New York Times Op-Ed columnist and the Times' Magazine senior writer Frank Rich, introduced by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson. Rich is expected to comment on the for-profit and non-profit arts industries and the state of culture and cultural offerings in America,

The Nancy Hanks Lecture, named for the late former president of Americans for the Arts and former chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts, focuses on the importance of funding the arts and the impact of the White House and Congress on cultural policy.

Lecturer:
The New York Times Op-Ed columnist Frank Rich served as the Times' chief drama critic from 1980 to 2000 and has been a columnist on the paper's Op-Ed Page since January 1994. In addition to his work at the Times, Rich has authored many articles on culture and politics for The New Republic, Esquire and The Washington Monthly. His latest book, Ghost Light, is a childhood memoir, which was published in 2000 by Random House. Before joining The New York Times, Rich was a film and television critic at Time magazine and The New York Post.

When:
Monday, March 19
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND FREE OF CHARGE; NO TICKET REQUIRED.

6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. -- Lecture
Seating on a first-come, first-served basis.
Eisenhower Theater

7:30 p.m. -- Reception
Atrium, Rooftop Terrace

Where:
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Washington, D.C.

Equipment:
Still and video photography permitted, though all equipment must be battery-operated; no flash or camera lights permitted. Please call for more information.