New York: President-elect Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, have plans for a cultural makeover at the White House, where scientists, musicians and poets would be invited to "the people's house" to inspire young Americans in these hard times.

"Part of what we want to do is to open up the White House, and remind people ... this is the people's house. There is an incredible bully pulpit to be used when it comes to, for example, education," Obama said in a television interview on NBC's Meet the Press broadcast on Sunday. The interview was taped in Chicago on Saturday.

Obama said the country's art, culture and science are "what makes America special, and we want to project that as much as possible in the White House". The president-elect said he and his wife intend to invite children from local schools into the White House for science and cultural programmes.

"When it comes to science, elevating science once again, and having lectures in the White House where people are talking about travelling to the stars or breaking down atoms, inspiring our youth to get a sense of what discovery is all about," Obama said.

Obama added that he wanted to highlight "the diversity of our culture ... inviting jazz musicians and classical musicians and poetry readings in the White House so that, once again, we appreciate this incredible tapestry that's America."

Obama said that historically what has brought Americans through hard times "is that national character, that sense of optimism, that willingness to look forward, that sense that better days are ahead".