Americans for the Arts President and CEO Robert L. Lynch offered this statement in response to President Donald Trump’s nomination of Mary Anne Carter to chair the National Endowment for the Arts: 

 

“I am pleased that Mary Anne Carter has been nominated to serve as chair of the National Endowment for the Arts. She understands the value of the arts at the community level and how the arts are transformative to individuals as well as to places. She has already demonstrated her commitment to making sure all parts of the country—from rural to urban communities—are supported with NEA grants, and she is also on her way to expanding art therapy programs through the Creative Forces initiative for active military and veterans. Americans for the Arts is grateful to have a partner who shares our steadfast commitment to providing access to the arts for all Americans, and we look forward to working with Mary Anne Carter in the coming years.” 

 

Carter is the former chief policy adviser to Florida Governor Rick Scott. Carter has served as acting chair of the NEA since Jane Chu’s term expired in June 2018. For more commentary and information about the arts and arts funding, visit Americans for the Arts’ Arts Mobilization Center.