President Obama’s artistic stimulus program underway

President Obama has yet to finalize the economic stimulus package, but his inaugural festivities have given the arts -- and the politically involved artists -- a major boost.

It was evident during the swearing-in Tuesday with the crowd sprinkled with A-list celebrities. Steven Spielberg, who paused to chat with activist, actor and filmmaker John Cusack, surveyed the vast crowd in the National Mall and said to one reporter: “I could never afford to do this shoot in one of my movies.”

Dustin Hoffman, looking distinguished enough to hold office, was among the viewers. Oprah Winfrey stood nearby on the steps, as did a buoyant Bruce Springsteen, who looked appropriately working-class in a peacoat with upturned collar (no Madison Avenue-style cashmere topcoat for this boss).

Speaking of stimulus, there’s bound to be a lot of comment on what Aretha Franklin’s hat may do to the millinery industry. (Michelle Obama certainly stimulated the career of Cuban immigrant designer Isabel Toledo when she wore one of her dresses to the swearing-in.)

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While many celebrities were on hand to view the inauguration, others were expressing their support for the first Internet-savvy president’s program on -- where else? -- MySpace.

On the eve of the inauguration, more than 50 celebrities teamed up with MySpace to record video pledges of service to the next president of the United States.

Among the celebrities who have finished their videos are Sean “Diddy” Combs, Cameron Diaz and Eva Longoria Parker. (You can see them at myspace.com/presidentialpledge.)

Others making pledges include will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas, Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, actresses Marisa Tomei, Courteney Cox Arquette, Lucy Liu and Laura Linney, and actors Jason Bateman and Tobey Maguire. Actress Demi Moore is directing, producing and editing the videos. (Viewers are invited to record and upload their own pledges.)

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If there was one big winner among the artistic contingent at the 44th president’s inaugural, it had to be Shepard Fairey, who has achieved true artistic celebrity over the course of this campaign.

His iconic image of then-insurgent candidate Obama found its way onto everything from the Internet to the side walls of Los Angeles taquerias. This week, it found its way into the most unlikely place of all: the National Portrait Gallery.

Fairey has already moved on to other subjects, most recently making a poster for Feeding America. Look for that image on a billboard or computer screen near you soon, because alleviating hunger will be one of politically conscious Hollywood’s major themes in the year ahead.

“I know we can feed our nation,” said David Arquette, Feeding America’s celebrity organizer. “And guess what?” he added. “We can feed the world.”

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One of the inaugural’s most exclusive events was the “intimate” dinner for 250 that L.A.’s philanthropist in chief, billionaire Eli Broad, and his wife, Edythe, hosted at their Georgetown hotel. It was an eclectic crowd, reflecting the couple’s diverse interests. Political guests included Secretary of State-designate Hillary Rodham Clinton and retired Gen. Wesley K. Clark.

Placido Domingo and Jeff Koons headed the roster of artists, and super-agent Ari Emanuel was there to represent the industry. Larry King was the ranking media celeb. L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was the ranking local pol.

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In some ways, the most overlooked story of the festive week was a bit like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous Sherlock Holmes mystery about the dog that didn’t bark. This one would be the eagle that wouldn’t fly.

The Don Mischer-produced concert spectacular Sunday on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial was supposed to include a trained eagle flying over the crowd just before Obama’s appearance. Maybe it was the cold; maybe it was stage fright; maybe it was just a raptor thing -- but the bird refused to budge (although he did flail around in a halfhearted attempt to get into the air).

But the then-president-elect took the whole thing in stride, and greeted the balky bird and his handler afterward. Mischer was left to contemplate the fact that however much the country has changed, one old show business saying holds true: Never work with kids or animals.

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tina.daunt@latimes.com