Washington, DC (Friday, June 13, 2014) – This week, the United States Senate confirmed Dr. Jane Chu as the new Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts. Chu, previously President and CEO of Kansas City’s Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, was nominated by President Obama in February of this year. The NEA has been without a confirmed leader since Broadway producer Rocco Landesman relinquished the agency’s top spot at the end of 2012.
“From her great work in Kansas City, Chairwoman Chu knows first-hand the transformative impact that the arts can have on a community,” said actor Tim Daly, President of The Creative Coalition. “We hope that Congress will give the National Endowment of the Arts the necessary resources to carry out its mission so that cities and towns across the country can experience the economic, cultural and educational benefits that flow from the arts.”
“The Creative Coalition’s members congratulate Chairwoman Chu and look forward to working with her to promote the arts and – most importantly – the efficacy of the arts in America,” said The Creative Coalition’s CEO Robin Bronk. “Strong leadership at the federal level is essential. Government data clearly shows just how important our arts and cultural sectors, which employ two million Americans, are to our economy. We’re confident that Chairwoman Chu can build on the successes of past NEA leaders to maximize the impact of the nation’s investment in the arts.”
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