Who said “If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to…”?

Verified

John F. Kennedy. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceSpeech at Amherst College

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Speech at Amherst College.

APA

Kennedy, J. F. (n.d.). If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/7302-if-art-is-to-nourish-the-roots-of/

MLA

Kennedy, John F. “If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/7302-if-art-is-to-nourish-the-roots-of/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Kennedy, John F. “If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/7302-if-art-is-to-nourish-the-roots-of/.