The Artist as Citizen

The Artist as Citizen is a compilation of Joseph W. Polisi’s articles and speeches from his more than three-decade tenure as president of the Juilliard School. Ranging from inspirational to humorous to political, his writings focus on the role of the performing artist as a leader and communicator of human values.

The collection provides an insider’s view of the state of the performing arts and performing arts education in our society. Much needs to be accomplished to keep the classical performing arts alive for future generations, and Polisi, world-renowned in his field of performing arts education, guides the way. He also addresses the important role that Juilliard plays in the workings of Lincoln Center in New York City and the politics and personalities involved in governing the world’s greatest performing arts center.

This inspiring, incisive, and entertaining book has been updated with several new speeches and extensively revised chapters. It is a must-read for educators, performers, and anyone who cares about the future of the performing arts in America.

Joseph W. Polisi became the sixth president of the Juilliard School in September 1984. Previously, he was dean of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, dean of faculty at the Manhattan School of Music, and executive officer of the Yale University School of Music. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Yale, a degree in political science from the University of Connecticut, and one in international relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

As a bassoonist, Polisi has appeared throughout the United States in solo and chamber performances. He has written many scholarly and educational articles for professional journals, is a frequent speaker on arts and education issues, has produced several sound recordings, and has recorded a solo album of twentieth-century bassoon music for Crystal Records. He is also the author of American Muse: The Life and Times of William Schuman (Amadeus Press).

At Juilliard, Polisi has established new student services and alumni programs and revised the curriculum with an emphasis on the humanities and liberal arts. He has increased student financial aid and faculty compensation and developed programs to prepare Juilliard students for the changing demands of the twenty-first century. In 2014, he founded Juilliard Global Ventures, a major initiative to provide access to Juilliard education in new geographies and for a wide array of learners, through site-based and digital education.