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Dana Gioia

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Poet

The Resume

    (December 24, 1950- )
    Born in Hawthorne, California
    Chairman of the National Endowment of the Arts (2003- )
    Executive at General Foods (1977-1992)
    Wrote poetry collections 'Daily Horoscope' (1986), 'The Gods of Winter' (1991) and 'Interrogations at Noon' (2001)
    Wrote critical work 'Can Poetry Matter?' (1992)
    Birth name is Michael Dana Gioia

Why he might be annoying:

    He helped create 'Jello Jigglers' during his time at General Foods.
    He encourages poets to use old-fashioned rhyme and meter.
    He's been accused of dumbing down the arts to reach a mass audience.
    He became chairman of the NEA only after George W. Bush’s first pick unexpectedly died.
    Under his chairmanship, the NEA ended grants to individual artists.

Why he might not be annoying:

    Like Wallace Stevens, he was able to combine a business career with writing.
    He helped end the controversies that plagued the NEA throughout the 80s and 90s.
    He unapologetically uses his business skills to promote the arts.
    He set up writing workshops to help Iraqi war veterans overcome post traumatic stress disorder.
    He believes that art is for the public and not just academics.

Credit: Georgina


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 7 Votes: 85.71% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 3 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 15 Votes: 53.33% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 10 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 10 Votes: 70.0% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 13 Votes: 61.54% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 20 Votes: 70.0% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 45 Votes: 42.22% Annoying