Beyond Boundaries. "Art helps us to understand what we have in common and where we differ, what we like and what offends us, what excites us and what leaves us cold. We come together around art without having to agree about it. Art helps to populate and energise an open public space for reflection, expression, empathy, dissent and disagreement." Speech, prompted by the international events of 2001, given by Peter Hewitt, Chief Executive, Arts Council of England, Monday 18 March 2002 , at The National Portrait Gallery, London. See Arts Council website for full text of the speech.