The Ohio Arts Council asked Hope Taft, the First Lady of Ohio, some questions to learn more about her interest in the arts and her vision for the future.

ArtsOhio What are your plans for the next four years?
Mrs. Taft I have three broad themes for the next four years. The first is to encourage Ohio communities to promote healthy youth development. The second is to encourage and recognize volunteerism for citizens of all ages. From the youngest to the oldest, we all have special gifts and talents that can be used to make our society a better place to live. And third, I want to celebrate Ohio's Bicentennial and bring Ohio arts alive for all citizens.

ArtsOhio What is your vision for the arts in Ohio? How can the arts connect with your themes?
Mrs. Taft The arts play an extremely important role in Ohio's economic, educational and cultural present and future. My vision is to showcase Ohio artists and encourage opportunities for expression through art. The arts can be woven through all of my themes.

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State Arts Agencies Play Role in Millenium Trails

The Friends of Freedom Foundation, with support from the Ohio Arts Council and other partners, will begin mapping sites and routes that slaves followed to freedom on the Underground Railroad in the 1800s. The Underground Railroad is one of 16 National Millennium Trails announced by First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater. "We are building and maintaining trails that tell the story of our nation's past to help create a positive vision for our
future," Mrs. Clinton said. Millennium Trails is a national initiative designed to spark the creation or enhancement of trails across America and bring together diverse groups in support of trails and the shared experiences they represent. The initiative is a partnership between the White House Millennium Council and the U.S. Department of Transportation in association with the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.