In welcoming you to this sixth Festival, we are aware of the growth and maturation of the program over these few years and wish to remind you and ourselves of its purpose. As the National Museum, the Smithsonian presents in all of its programs the experience of our peoples. One American, John Dewey, saw art as experience before many of us perceived the relationship:

"The sources of art in human experience will be learned by him who sees how the tense grace of the ballplayer infects the onlooking crowd .... The intelligent mechanic engaged in his job, interested in doing well and finding satisfaction in his handiwork, caring for his materials