NEA and NEH Chairs Confirmed

International Musician, Sep 2009

In early August the US Senate confirmed National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) chairs, Broadway Producer Rocco Landesman and former Congressman Jim Leach.

Americans for the Arts President and CEO Robert L. Lynch issued the following statement: "Today's Senate confirmation of Rocco Landesman to serve as the next National Endowment for the Arts chair and Congressman Jim Leach to serve as National Endowment for the Humanities chair marks a moment of great opportunity for our nation's cultural agencies. Landesman embarks as chair of the nation's arts agency with a robust agenda, an upward trajectory of funding, broad Congressional approval, and a White House committed to attracting national attention to the value of the arts and integrating them into broader domestic policies.

"Through his service in Congress, Jim Leach proved himself to be a strong leader and strategist on behalf of both the arts and the humanities. I am certain he will lead the NEH to support the innovative and critical work of the nation's humanities groups."

Reconciliation for the final bills for increased funding to these two arts organizations will be determined in the fall following Congress's August recess.