PEORIA -- The new head of the National Endowment for the Arts is in the River City, and seeing Peoria in a whole new light.

Rocco Landesman is doing an Art Works Tour across America and Peoria is his first stop. He spent Friday morning touring the artwork downtown. The New York Times published an article in August about the new chairman. In the article, Landesman said he would differ from his predecessor, and focus on financing the best art, regardless of location. He's quoted as saying, "I don't know if there's a theater in Peoria, but I would bet that it's not s good as the Steppenwold or the Goodman." He was referring to Chicago's two most prominent theaters.

In response to that he said, "What I said was, which is true, that I don't know if there's a theater in Peoria, I was completely ignorant. I had no idea what was here and what isn't. It seems like a wonderful place to live and one thing I do know, it's a city that takes culture seriously."

Landesman was invited to Peoria by members of the local art community. He's also slated to tour WTVP during his visit, and see "Rent" tonight at Eastlight Theatre tonight at seven.