We regret to inform you that I, on behalf of the National Endowment for the Arts, must ask that you terminate use of NEA funds and return the remainder of the grant, along with a full accounting of expenditures to my auditors no later than August 15, 2000. Your grant application: 23-132j8, Juxtaposition of post-modern expression on movable urban landmarks, has been terminated.

Truly, your concept, akin to that of Peter Hanig, in his “Cows on Parade” exhibits (formerly of Chicago, now touring New York) seemed commercially viable. As you know, Mr. Hanig asked local artisans to paint, sculpt, or otherwise adorn fiberglass cows that were then placed about the City of Chicago. The Cows on Parade exhibition attracted an estimated two million tourists and brought approximately five hundred million dollars to Chicago's economy. The end of the exhibit was capped off with an auction of the bovine sculptures on November 9, and raised nearly $3.5 million for local charities.

In our hearts, the NEA felt you proposal could be just as viable as this effort, and we encouraged the use of Boston-area artists to enhance your medium. Unfortunately, you restrictive use of just two colors (black and orange) to adorn your white fiberglass ‘traffic cones’ has lead to too much public confusion. It has been reported that many of these cones are being misconstrued by Boston Public Work officials as actual traffic cones are being inadvertently removed from streets, sidewalks, and building sides. While your efforts to educate the BPW employees has been laudable, this problem persists with other public and private agencies. We understand that 47 of these sculptures (of the 53 already produced) have been stolen to date.

We encourage your artistic endeavors, however, we have to pull the plug on our funding of this effort.
Your friend in the Arts,
Bill Ivey,
Jackbo<<<<<<< Chairman