ALMetro360

Al Head: Alabama State Council on the Arts B Y H ENRIETTA M C G UIRE F OR FORTY - SIX YEARS A L H EAD HAS BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE WORLD OF ART . B UT THE BEGINNINGS WERE NOT VERY HOPEFUL . I NSPIRED BY A GRANDMOTHER GIFTED IN PAINTING , H EAD WAS IN AN ART CLASS WHEN THE TEACHER STOPPED BY HIS EASEL . “A L ,” SHE SAID , SHIELDING HER EYES , “ IF YOU WILL VOW AND DECLARE NEVER , EVER TO PAINT ANYTHING AGAIN , I WILL NOT FLUNK YOU IN THIS COURSE .” S OME TWENTY YEARS LATER SHE WAS SHOCKED TO MEET HER STUDENT NOW THE D IRECTOR OF THE A LABAMA C OUNCIL ON THE A RTS . ike so many other young people Al was uncertain about what career to follow until he finished graduate school at Auburn University at Mont- gomery. It was winning, in 1974, a fel- lowship to attend the Harvard Arts Administration Institute that seemed to catapult him on his way. His first job lead to an upward spiral in three different states, Louisiana, Ala- bama and Florida where he amassed a collection of chair- manships, awards, fellowships and high honors. Among others he was given a National Heritage Fellowship, the na- tion’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts field. “Often when governments face a shortfall in funds, the arts are the first victims. But when you face problems you have to play with the cards you’re dealt,” Head observed. He developed a network of creative groups around the state and became one of the most effective advocates for the arts before the legislature. At first members of the House and Senate seemed to have only a vast indifference “to both the cultural and the commercial value of the artistic activities going on in all directions,” Head remembered. “They couldn’t see any value at all. But then someone remembered that I had played football for Troy University as quarterback, and everything changed. Almost everybody got on board. Of course, we’ll appropriate money for the arts. Were any of you at that game when he threw that 70 yard pass?” As time passes our society becomes more and more aware of the value of the arts, on both a cultural and a commercial basis. Commercially, it’s surprising the importance large 24 AL/ Metro 360 www.almetro360.com CULTURE ..............................................................................................................................................