Alec Baldwin delivers the 2012 Nancy Hanks LectureOn April 16th, Alec Baldwin delivered the 25th Annual Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy, a leading national forum for arts policy, intended to stimulate discussion of policy and social issues affecting the arts. The lecture provides an opportunity for public discourse at the highest levels on the importance of the arts and culture to our nation's well-being.

Mr. Baldwin discussed the essential nature of the arts, saying "Art is like water. It’s essential."

2012 Transcript

Opening Remarks
Robert L. Lynch
President and CEO, Americans for the Arts

Introduction
Maureen Dowd
Pulitzer prize winning journalist

Lecture
Alec Baldwin
Critically acclaimed actor

Performances
Ben Folds, accompanied by YoungArts alumni musicians

View the complete 2012 Nancy Hanks Lecture (42:08)

Bio

Alec BaldwinAlec Baldwin is a graduate of New York University (BFA Tisch, 94) and was presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from NYU in 2010. He last appeared on stage in the 2010 Guild Hall (East Hampton) production of Peter Shaffer's EQUUS, directed by Tony Walton. Other stage includes the Roundabout Theatre Company's 2006 production of Joe Orton's Entertaining Mr. Sloane, directed by Scott Ellis, Loot (Broadway-1986; Theatre World Award), Caryl Churchill's Serious Money (Broadway-1988), Prelude to a Kiss (Circle Rep.- 1990; Obie Award), A Street Car Named Desire (Broadway-1992; Tony nomination), Macbeth (NYSF-1998), The Twentieth Century (Roundabout-2004). (Also The Hartman in Stamford, Williamstown, Bay Street)

Baldwin has appeared in more than 40 films, including Beetle Juice, Working Girl, Miami Blues, The Hunt for Red October, Glengarry Glen Ross, Malice, The Juror, The Edge, Ghosts of Mississippi, State and Main, The Cat in the Hat, The Cooler (National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actor, Oscar nomination), The Aviator, The Departed, and It's Complicated, among many others.

On television Baldwin currently stars with Tina Fey on NBC's 30 Rock, winner of the 2007, 2008 and 2009 Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series. Baldwin has received five SAG Awards, three Golden Globes, the Television Critics Award and two Emmy awards as Best Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance on the show. In 2011, Alec received his Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

His company, El Dorado Pictures, has produced several projects including NUREMBERG: INFAMY ON TRIAL for TNT television (Emmy nomination), The Confession for Showtime (WGA award for best adapted screenplay) and David Mamet's film, State and Main.

Alec Baldwin is also a dedicated supporter of numerous causes related to public policy and the arts. He serves on the boards of People For The American Way, The Hamptons International Film Festival, and Guild Hall of East Hampton. He is an active supporter of The Radiation and Public Health Project, East Hampton Day Care Center, The Actors Fund, The Public Theatre/New York Shakespeare Festival, The Roundabout Theatre, People for the Ethical treatment of Animals, and The Water Keeper Alliance, among many others.

Baldwin's book, A PROMISE TO OURSELVES (St. Martin's Press) was published in paperback in the fall of 2009.

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