Performance in a Business Environment Essay Example for Free

Performance in a Business Environment Essay The purpose and benefits of continuously improving my own performance at work is to move one step forward and exceed my limitations, achieve further goals, self-motivation, not to be the same person and on the same position after a certain of time, to exceed my performance at work and doing work, improving my own performance helps me to progress on my career and give me a job satisfaction. However this leads me to evaluate my own work by looking at the work that takes the most time, and what actions can I take to do this task in a less time, however at the same time I look at the best part of the job that I do and also look for areas where I can improve. I normally speak to my colleagues that are more experience than me regarding this and take advice as well as guidance to do so. It is so important for me to get feedback and to accept it from others as this will help me to learn from my mistakes and be more confident in the work I am doing. Receiving feedback also helps me see myself from the perspective of others and how other people see me I always accept feedback whether positive or negative, as positive will help me to work harder and keep the good work I’m doing, as well as negative will help me to learn from my past failures and mistakes so I can correct them. In every organisation it is so important to provide a Good quality piece of work, as a very challenging person I always try new ways, different ways to do my work with a good quality and within less time scale. I always learn new things either in the office as my day to day tasks or at home for my long term career goals. My own learning and development does not only improve my work and productivity, it improves and benefits the team I work with as well as the whole organisation. The more I learn, the more I can do. This benefits the organisation by increasing productivity. It helps me to identify gaps between my job requirements or future work roles and the existing knowledge, understanding and skills. This is one of the reasons that we have in our organisation a private website that provides different short courses for self-development. The progression route from my current role will be towards a Management Information Analysts role, and then eventually a Business Analyst role as my long term role. This will also help me work towards my career I wish to pursue in the educational field, where I will have to also demonstrate data management tasks on my day to day tasks at work. After completing my Apprenticeship in Business and Admin L3, I am looking forward to starting an Apprenticeship L4 with a hard working to  develop my career to the next level as Management Information Analysts towards my long term career as a Business Analysts. I already have experie nce working in education, retail and IT. I will be working harder to meet my above career development with a good salary package and job description, where I can best use my skills, talents and capabilities. So by developing my skills I can look at possible interesting careers and sectors that I might be interested in and develop my opportunities in securing a good job. A learning plan is a way for everyone to set personal targets and record achievements. It helps me as a person to keep on track towards where I want to be in my life and my work. The reason for making a plan is, it simply helps me to take more control of my future, by reminding me what I have learned, achieved and enjoyed. Creating my plan can help me develop more confidence in my ability to tackle new things, become more employable, and get more out of life.

Down With The Kings :: essays research papers

When someone commits a crime, they are punished for their sin. If someone says, â€Å"go rob that store,† the man robbing the store is persecuted, not usually the instigator. Everyone, regardless of status or wealth is responsible for his actions. No one can whip out a remote control and make them do anything they want them to do. Men can be manipulated, but he is still under his own control. No one can make his decision as to whether or not he is going to be obedient to his manipulator. In the play Macbeth, Macbeth himself is most responsible because each man is responsible for his own actions and the results of those actions.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are many parts of the play Macbeth that show Macbeth taking charge and having full responsibility of his deeds. Regardless of how much Lady Macbeth seems to push Macbeth, it is in Macbeth’s disposition to take charge and be independent as is shown in this proclamation announced by Macbeth himself, â€Å"Bring me no more reports. Let them fly all! Till Birnam Wood remove to Dunsinane, I cannot taint with fear.† (V.iii.1-3) Macbeth is mot told to ignore all of his military responsibilities by anyone. Lady Macbeth is barely alive at this time therefore there is no way that she could have influenced this decision made solely by Macbeth. Macbeth is completely confident in himself and does not think that anything can keep him from keeping his position on the throne. Macbeth’s greed and the fact that he is incredibly headstrong are also factors of his demise. Macbeth demonstrates this by saying: We will proceed no further in this business. He hath honored me of late, and I have bought Golden opinions from all sorts of people, Which would be worn now in their newest gloss, Not cast aside soon. (I.vii.35-40) Macbeth sees his compliments as actual features of himself that will live with him forever and not just once in a while characteristics being cast off quickly. Although, these people do contribute to his actions by fueling them, he still makes the ultimate choices. He sees people trying to win favor with him as his actually characteristics, and this makes his desire for status stronger. He shows that he is capable of excellent judgment but would rather do deeds that benefit him rather than do what is best for the majority and those he loves.

Motifs in Grendel Essay

Throughout John Gardner’s novel, Grendel, there are many literary tools and compositional risks used to support the overall meaning of the story and to show change in the main character, Grendel. One compositional risk that Gardner uses extremely effectively is motif. A motif is defined as recurring structures, contrasts, or literary devices that can help to develop and inform the piece’s major themes. The most effective motif Gardner uses over the course of the novel is the recurring references to the signs of the zodiac. Other important motifs referenced in Grendel are the seasons, machinery, and the number twelve. Starting in chapter one, Gardner effectively uses the zodiac signs to reinforce the changes in Grendel and the changes in time. Grendel is split into twelve chapters, each corresponding to a different zodiac sign. In each chapter, one of the twelve zodiac signs is referenced at least once. The zodiac references also appear in the exact order as the calendar, starting with Aries in chapter one and ending with Pisces in chapter twelve. In fact, the very first sentence of the novel is a reference to the first zodiac sign. â€Å"The old ram stands looking down over rockslides, stupidly triumphant. † (Gardner 5) This is a very simple zodiac reference and other simple references occur in chapters two and ten, when Grendel encounters a bull and goat respectively. However, some of the zodiac references are tougher to locate. Chapters five and seven are among the difficult references. Chapter five refers to Leo the Lion, but a lion is never mentioned in the text. Chapter seven refers to Libra the Balance. The reader must infer the peace offering of Wealtheow to represent a force of balance between the Scyldings and the Helmings. Another motif used extremely effectively throughout Grendel is the seasons. Grendel is not a novel written in chronological order. The book begins somewhat at the end, then enters a series of flashbacks, and ends in the present. However, even though the novel skips around chronologically, it is patterned after the passage of a one-year calendar. The novel begins in the spring of Grendel’s last year alive and ends with him dieing the following winter. This is appropriate because spring normally represents growth and new beginnings, so this is an ideal place to start a story. It is also appropriate because winter normally symbolizes death and Grendel is slain by Beowulf during the winter. Machinery is another motif used to perfection by Gardner in Grendel. Many times throughout the course of the novel, Grendel uses metaphors describing animals and humans as â€Å"machine-like† because they mindlessly adhere to set patterns of behavior. Grendel first notices this in the ram, which instinctively responds to the arrival of spring and will not leave no matter what Grendel does because the season is upon us. â€Å"I shake my two hairy fists at the sky and I let out a howl so unspeakable that the water at my feet turns sudden ice and even I myself am left uneasy. But the ram stays; the season is upon us. † (Gardner 5) Later in the book, Grendel describes himself as â€Å"mechanical as anything else† when the warm weather causes him to start his raids on the mead hall. One final motif used throughout Grendel is the significance of the number twelve. To start off, there are twelve months in a year and the narrative is broken into twelve chapters. Next, there are twelve zodiac signs and all twelve zodiac signs are referenced in the book. Finally, there are twelve years in the war between the Danes and Grendel, with Grendel being slain via Beowulf in the twelfth and final year of the war. Obviously the number twelve is a recurring theme throughout the novel making it a very significant motif. A motif is defined as recurring structures, contrasts, or literary devices that can help to develop and inform the piece’s major themes. John Gardner uses many motifs throughout Grendel to help explain the story and themes in the story. The most effective motif used is the zodiac symbolism in each chapter, but the motifs of the seasons, machinery, and the number twelve are also imperative in helping explain the overall meaning of the story. Motifs should be used whenever possible to help explain a story, plus they provide readers with an interesting topic for debate when discussing a novel.

What Is Gamma Radiation

Gamma radiation or gamma rays are high-energy photons that are emitted by radioactive decay of atomic nuclei. Gamma radiation is very high-energy form of ionizing radiation, with the shortest wavelength. Key Takeaways: Gamma Radiation Gamma radiation (gamma rays) refers to the part of the electromagnetic spectrum with the most energy and shortest wavelength.Astrophysicists define gamma radiation as any radiation with an energy above 100 keV. Physicists define gamma radiation as high-energy photons released by nuclear decay.Using the broader definition of gamma radiation, gamma rays are released by sources including gamma decay, lightning, solar flares, matter-antimatter annihilation, the interaction between cosmic rays and matter, and many astronomical sources.Gamma radiation was discovered by Paul Villard in 1900.Gamma radiation is used to study the universe, treat gemstones, scan containers, sterilize foods and equipment, diagnose medical conditions, and treat some forms of cancer. History French chemist and physicist Paul Villard discovered gamma radiation in 1900. Villard was studying radiation emitted by the element radium. While Villard observed the radiation from radium was more energetic than the alpha rays described by Rutherford in 1899 or the beta radiation noted by Becquerel in 1896, he did not identify gamma radiation as a new form of radiation. Expanding upon Villards word, Ernest Rutherford named the energetic radiation gamma rays in 1903. The name reflects the level of penetration of radiation into matter, with alpha being least penetrating, beta being more penetrating, and gamma radiation passing through matter most readily. Health Effects Gamma radiation presents a significant health risk. The rays are a form of ionizing radiation, which means they have enough energy to remove electrons from atoms and molecules. However, they are less likely to ionization damage than less-penetrating alpha or beta radiation. The high energy of the radiation also means gamma rays possess high penetrating power. They pass through skin and damage internal organs and bone marrow. Up to a certain point, the human body can repair genetic damage from exposure to gamma radiation. The repair mechanisms seems to be more efficient following a high-dose exposure than a low-dose exposure. Genetic damage from gamma radiation exposure may lead to cancer. Natural Gamma Radiation Sources There are numerous natural sources of gamma radiation. These include: Gamma decay: This is the release of gamma radiation from natural radioisotopes. Usually, gamma decay follows alpha or beta decay where the daughter nucleus is excited and falls to a lower energy level with the emission of a gamma radiation photon. However, gamma decay also results from nuclear fusion, nuclear fission, and neutron capture. Antimatter annihilation: The an electron and a positron annihilate each other, extremely high-energy gamma rays are released. Other subatomic sources of gamma radiation besides gamma decay and antimatter include bremsstrahlung, synchrotron radiation, neutral pion decay, and Compton scattering. Lightning: The accelerated electrons of lightning produces what is called a terrestrial gamma-ray flash. Solar flares: A solar flare may release radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum, including gamma radiation. Cosmic rays: The interaction between cosmic rays and matter releases gamma rays from bremsstrahlung or pair-production. Gamma rays bursts: Intense bursts of gamma radiation may be produced when neutron stars collide or when a neutron star interacts with a black hole. Other astronomical sources: Astrophysics also study gamma radiation from pulsars, magnetars, quasars, and galaxies. Gamma Rays Versus X-Rays Both gamma rays and x-rays are forms of electromagnetic radiation. Their electromagnetic spectrum overlaps, so how can you tell them apart? Physicists differentiate the two types of radiation based on their source, where gamma rays originate in the nucleus from decay, while x-rays originate in the electron cloud around the nucleus. Astrophysicists distinguish between gamma rays and x-rays strictly by energy. Gamma radiation has a photon energy above 100 keV, while x-rays only have energy up to 100 keV. Sources LAnnunziata, Michael F. (2007). Radioactivity: introduction and history. Elsevier BV. Amsterdam, Netherlands. ISBN 978-0-444-52715-8.Rothkamm, K.; Là ¶brich, M. (2003). Evidence for a lack of DNA double-strand break repair in human cells exposed to very low x-ray doses. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 100 (9): 5057–62. doi:10.1073/pnas.0830918100Rutherford, E. (1903). The magnetic and electric deviation of the easily absorbed rays from radium. Philosophical Magazine, Series 6, vol. 5, no. 26, pages 177–187.Villard, P. (1900). Sur la rà ©flexion et la rà ©fraction des rayons cathodiques et des rayons dà ©viables du radium. Comptes rendus, vol. 130, pages 1010–1012.

Describing a Friend Dialogue for English Learners

Read the dialogue and the reading selection to learn about describing both male and female friends.   My Friend My friend Rich is coming to town next week. Have you ever met my him?No, I havent.Hes kind of crazy, but a great guy.Yeah, why do you say so? Whats he like?Hes really hard working, but very much a loner. Hes pretty talented and can do just about anything.Sounds interesting. Is he married?No, he isnt.What does he look like? Maybe my friend Alice would be interested in meeting him.Hes tall, slim and quite good looking. Im sure your friend would find him attractive. Whats she like?Shes outgoing and very athletic.Really? What sports does she like playing?Shes a great tennis player and also goes bicycling a lot.What does she look like?Shes kind of exotic looking. Shes got long dark hair and piercing black eyes. People think she is rather beautiful.Do you think she would like to meet Rich?Sure! Why dont we introduce them?Great idea! Key Vocabulary to be like used for character descriptionto like doing used to state general preferenceswould like to do used to state a specific wishlook like used to speak about physical appearanceloner likes to be alone a lotoutgoing very ambitious and does lots of activitiesathletic very good at sportsexotic from a little known locationpiercing looking deeply intorather very Differences in Vocabulary Between Men and Women Youve probably learned that the adjective handsome is generally used with men  and beautiful with women. Its a general rule, but there are certainly instances in which a woman is handsome or a man is beautiful. Of course, its all in the eye of the beholder.  The same can be said for the adjective pretty which is used with women. Whereas, cute is used when referring to either sex.   This is also true when speaking about a persons character. Any adjective can be used to describe either sex, but some are more common than others. Of course, these days, many people rightly complain about such stereotypes. Still, there are preferences that lie deep in the English language. Guys and gals used to be used to refer to men and women in an informal manner. These days, its common to refer to everyone as guys. Job names have also changed over the years. Its common to change words like businessman to businesswoman or business person. Other job titles such as stewardess are no longer in use.   These changes in vocabulary is an example of how English commonly changes with the times. In fact, English is such a flexible language that its difficult to understand English from four hundred years ago, whereas other languages such as Italian have changed relatively little in comparison.   Key Vocabulary to refer to either sex be used with both male and femalestereotype a general idea, often negative, of how a particular group of people actto change with the times to make changes as the culture changesin the eye of the beholder for the person who is taking noticeto lie deep in the language to be at the roots of a language

Cause and Effects of the Great Depression - 4210 Words

The Causes and Effects of The Great Depression In America Few Americans in the first months of 1929 saw any reason to question the strength and stability of the nations economy. Most agreed with their new president that the booming prosperity of the years just past would not only continue but increase, and that dramatic social progress would follow in its wake. We in America today, Herbert Hoover had proclaimed in August 1928, are nearer to the final triumph over poverty than ever before in the history of any land. The poorhouse is vanishing from among us.1 In mid-October, 1929, the average middle-class American saw ahead of him an illimitable vista of prosperity. The newly inaugurated president, Herbert Hoover, had†¦show more content†¦M. Barker, cupidity turned into unreasoning, emotional, universal fear†.9 The misery of the Great Depression was, then, without precedent in the nations history.10 The most searing legacy of the depression was unemployment, which mounted steadily from the relatively low levels experience d between 1922 and 1929. The percentage of the civilian labor force without work rose from 3.2 in 1929 to 8.7 in 1930, and reached a peak of 24.9 in 1933. The estimates of unemployment amongst non-farm employees, which include the self-employed and unpaid family workers are even higher. These are horrifying figures: millions of American families were left without a bread-winner and faced the very real possibility of destitution.11 Within a few months after the stock market collapse of October 1929, unemployment had catapulted from its status of a vague worry into the position of one of the countrys foremost preoccupations. Unemployment increased steadily, with only a few temporary setbacks, from the fall of 1929 to the spring of 1933. Even a cursory reference to the several existing estimates of unemployment will amply show the rapidity with which unemployment established itself as an economic factor of the first order of importance.12 By 1932, a quarter of the civilian labor force was unemployed and the number was still rising. State and local relief agencies lacked sufficient funds to meet the demands of families for bare sustenance. Discouraged by continualShow MoreRelatedThe Cause and Effects of the Great Depression Essay1443 Words   |  6 Pagescrash of 1929 was the main cause of The Great Depression. In fact, The Great Depression was caused by a series of factors, and the effects of the depression were felt for many years after the stock market crash of 1929. By looking at the stock market crash of 1929, bank failures, reduction of purchasing, American economic policy with Europe, and drought conditions, it becomes apparent that The Great Depression was caused by more than just the stock market crash. The effects were detrimental beyond theRead MoreCauses and Effects of The Great Depression in the United States1238 Words   |  5 PagesThe Great Depression is a defining moment in time for not only American, but world history. This was a time t hat caused political, economical, and social unrest. Not only did the Great Depression cause a world wide panic, it also caused a world wide crisis unlike any before it. This paper will analyze both the causes and the effects of the Great Depression in the United States of America. One cause of the depression is the effects of World War One. World War one had many devastating effects on countriesRead MoreThe Great Depression Of The 1930s Essay1689 Words   |  7 PagesGlobal Crisis of 2008 in Comparison to the Great Depression of the 1930s Introduction The economic crisis’ of the 1930s and 2000s greatly impacted the United Sates (U.S) and the world. The Great Depression and Global Crisis were both major economic crisis’s the originated in the United States and spread to foreign markets around the world. The Great Depression is regarded as the biggest economic downturn, due to many factors like the stock market crash. The Global Crisis on the other hand, was aRead MoreThe Causes of Canadas Great Depression of 1929-1939 Essay1679 Words   |  7 Pagesclosest to him heard. â€Å"It’s all gone.†# The term ‘Great Depression’ according to Kristin Brennan evokes black-and-white images of thin men in threadbare suits and worn-out shoes selling five-cent apples on city streets, of â€Å"grim-faced women lined up three deep to collect bread and milk at relief stations.†# The Great Depression of the 1930s was a devastating time toward many Canadians, where the collapse of the stock market was t he beginning of the Depression, a period of severe economic and social hardshipRead MoreDepression Essay : Depression : The Causes Of Depression893 Words   |  4 PagesDepression Depression affects many people in today’s society for a number of reasons. Depression is a serious disorder, numerous people are affected by it. However, there are places to go that give help that people with depression need. To begin, depression is a disorder that affects a great deal of people. According to Mayo Clinic, â€Å"Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest† (â€Å"Overview,† n.d.). There are many causes to why people have depressionRead MoreMajor Depression And Its Effects On Social Involvement1565 Words   |  7 PagesMajor Depression Depression is one of the most common therapeutic topics. There are many effects that lead to major depression and thus require distinctive therapy methods. It is a mood disorder that is associated with the body, emotions and thoughts (Hoeksema and rector, 2011). In order for a person to be diagnosed with major depression, they must show at least 4 symptoms from any of the 4 categories; such as mood changes, cognitive changes, physical changes, and behavior changes; and must haveRead MoreCauses of The Great Depression Essay701 Words   |  3 Pages Imagine a society where over 25% of the population was unemployed. That is what it reached during The Great Depression (â€Å"The Great Depression†). During the depression unemployment rates were the highest they have ever been. It is highly speculated to this day on what exactly caused The Great Depression. Most historians agree it was a chain of events, one after another, that brought our country into chaos. Some events were more impactful than others. These events caused pandemonium amongRead MoreDepression : Cause, Causes And Effects Of Depression1116 Words   |  5 Pagessweating and dizziness. Anxiety may cause physical exhaustion and general ill health. Effects of depression When someone is found in such a condition the primary effects observed are the various signs and symptoms caused by a particular situation, thought, physical state, emotions or actions which brought about the depression. The effects of depression are mostly observed in the physical state as the symptoms portrays on the person who is in a depressed state. Depression can result into condition whichRead MoreExploring Causes of The Great Depression Essay522 Words   |  3 PagesExploring Causes of The Great Depression Introduction The Wall Street crash of 29 Oct 1929 and the Great Depression that followed were such a shock to most Americans that some early attempts to explain their causes blamed sunspot activity or medieval prophecy. A few held it to be divine retribution on a people who had indulged themselves in a decade of hedonism after World War I and were due for a sobering experience. Others recognized that the 1920s had brought Read MoreThe Great Depression : The Fall Of A Nation1701 Words   |  7 PagesCollin Brunton Ms. Biondi English II 3 March 2015 The Great Depression: The Fall of a Nation The Great Depression was a hard time for America. The name fits like a glove because it was, in fact a depression. The Great Depression was crucial to American history because it changed every aspect of American life, revealed how big a power America was, and it established multiple government agencies around the world to make sure something like it never happens again. The economy was at a highpoint

Unamimous okay for Alexander Essay Example For Students

Unamimous okay for Alexander Essay Explaining that she wishes to give something back in return for the rich life she has experienced in the arts, actress Jane Alexander made her congressional debut before the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee on Sept. 22 and was swiftly and unanimously confirmed as chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. Although unanimity is rare on the committee, the proceedings, which were chaired by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), went so smoothly that the committee waived the customary waiting period and forwarded Alexanders name the same day to the full Senate. That body approved her appointment by voice vote the following week. I came here this morning thinking I was going to participate in a confirmation process, but I think we are participating in a deification process, quipped Sen. Howard M. Metzenbaum (D-Ohio) in response to the flood of praise that greeted Alexanders appearance before the committee. We will write a custom essay on Unamimous okay for Alexander specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now If not a deification, a coronation at least, shot back Sen. Claiborne Pell (D-R.I.). Alexander was introduced by Sen. David L. Boren (D-Okla.), who praised her work teaching young people in his state, and Sen. Alfonse DAmato (R-N.Y.), who commended President Clinton for his wise and brilliant choice, and acknowledged the actress for her sacrifice in interrupting a successful theatre and film career to become a public servant. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) echoed the praise, noting, Its about time we had someone from the arts in this position. He acknowledged that Alexander is uniquely qualified to help restore confidence in the NEA, but cautioned that the NEA has to face the fact that its constituency is not the arts community; its constituency is the American people. Conspicuously absent was Sen. Dan Coats (R-Ind.), a known opponent of the NEA, but even conservative Senator Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.) read a glowing statement of support. NEA nemesis Jesse Helms (R-N.C.), who is not on the committee, had already tipped his hand to the press, stating that he intended to support Alexanders nomination, noting that his daughters name is Jane Alexander Helms. Lurking in the hall outside the hearing room was Christian Action Network president Martin Mawyer, who complained that his organization had submitted a list of 20 questions, but the committee had failed to ask any of them. He expressed frustration that the hearings did not succeed in getting Alexander on the record in response to reforms he believes the agency needs. Alexander did address head-on the tension between the NEAs supporters and detractors in her statement before the committee. The arts, she said, should not be used as a political football by those on the far right or the far left. The arts are for everyone. She acknowledged that she could not promise that the arts would be free of controversy under her chairmanship, but assured the committee she will be accountable. She said she intends to let the American people know all the good the NEA has done, and to travel to as many states as possible, talking and listening to people. The arts are a community issue, she concluded. They bring together, they do not rend asunder. Press coverage of the hearings was mostly positive in the following days. Although the ultra-conservative Washington Times characterized Alexanders ringing endorsement by the arts community as like a pack of foxes endorsing a particular brand of chicken wire, the Washington Post heralded Alexanders selection and smooth reception as hints of a turning tide. Alexander was expected to be on the job early in October, marking a new era in the history of the NEA. Best for the Most Excerpts from Jane Alexanders Sept. 22 statement before the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee: .ubca7ad98fc4bd7f7a0a97f01522290f2 , .ubca7ad98fc4bd7f7a0a97f01522290f2 .postImageUrl , .ubca7ad98fc4bd7f7a0a97f01522290f2 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ubca7ad98fc4bd7f7a0a97f01522290f2 , .ubca7ad98fc4bd7f7a0a97f01522290f2:hover , .ubca7ad98fc4bd7f7a0a97f01522290f2:visited , .ubca7ad98fc4bd7f7a0a97f01522290f2:active { border:0!important; } .ubca7ad98fc4bd7f7a0a97f01522290f2 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ubca7ad98fc4bd7f7a0a97f01522290f2 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ubca7ad98fc4bd7f7a0a97f01522290f2:active , .ubca7ad98fc4bd7f7a0a97f01522290f2:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ubca7ad98fc4bd7f7a0a97f01522290f2 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ubca7ad98fc4bd7f7a0a97f01522290f2 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ubca7ad98fc4bd7f7a0a97f01522290f2 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ubca7ad98fc4bd7f7a0a97f01522290f2 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ubca7ad98fc4bd7f7a0a97f01522290f2:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ubca7ad98fc4bd7f7a0a97f01522290f2 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ubca7ad98fc4bd7f7a0a97f01522290f2 .ubca7ad98fc4bd7f7a0a97f01522290f2-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ubca7ad98fc4bd7f7a0a97f01522290f2:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Live performance theatre EssayThe life I have led in the theatre, in the world of art, has given so much to me personallyparticularly from Endowment-supported worksthat I wish to give something back. Perhaps I can make a real contribution at this difficult time. The Endowment has struggled these past few years to keep itself alive and valued in the public eye. In these 28 years, it has awarded 100,000 grants. It has been an unparalleled success, perhaps the most successful of any of the independent federal agencies. Directly and indirectly, it has affected most artists and arts organizations alive today and created an arts economy of about 6 percent of the Gross National Product, and over 2 1/2 percent of our work force. The Endowments budget is modest in comparison with other government agencies, but with its $175 million budget last year, it created a 20-fold return in jobs, services and contracts. In partnership with the private sector, it leveraged that $175 million to almost $1.4 billion. With all its accomplishments, how has the Endowment managed lately to be depicted as a villain? A handful of controversial grants had taken the focus from the thousands upon thousands of grants that have enhanced the lives of millions. I respect the right of people to be heardthe voices of those who are disturbed by art and the voices of the creative community. This, after all, is the greatness of our democratic system. But the arts should not be used as a political football by those on the far right or the far left. The arts are for everyone. The Endowment is too important to be misused by some who disseminate misinformation for their own ends or attack the Endowment as a campaign platform. I believe strongly that the sound and the fury of the past few years over that handful of controversial grants must end. When judging the National Arts Endowment, we must look at the complete picture. Lets give the arts a chance to help us heal and understand one another. I cannot promise that under my chairmanship the arts will be free of controversy. The very essence of art, after all, is to hold the mirror up to nature; the arts reflect the diversity and variety of human experience. We are, as Hamlet says, the abstracts and brief chroniclers of the time. and as such, the artist often taps into the very issues of society that are most sensitive. I can, however, assure Congress that I will follow the statutory guidelines on funding to the very best of my ability to insure that grants are given for the highest degree of artistic merit and excellence. I will be accountable and look forward to working with members of Congress. My goal for the arts is that the best reaches the most. I intend to let the American people know the truth about the Endowment and the value of the arts in each and every one of their lives. I am committed to making the Endowment a driving force for education. I also look forward to an enhanced partnership with the private sector. I want to work with state arts councils and local agencies to develop new and innovative ways to reach communities everywhere. I hope to travel all across this country to listen to the people about their needs with regard to the arts, from the most rural area to the inner city. I have a vision for the arts in this country. That vision is that every man, woman and child find the song in his or her heart. I see the arts as part of the solution to our problems and not, in any way, part of the problem. Through the arts, we release the very best that is in our imaginations, and it is through our imagination that we draw the map for our future. Through the arts we learn the discipline of a skill and the accomplishment that comes with collaboration, The arts are a community issue. They bring together, they do not rend asunder.