Mary Anne Carter, a political consultant previously serving as chair of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) under Trump’s initial presidency, has been reinstated after receiving Senate approval. Her return follows nearly a year after Maria Rosario Jackson, appointed by Biden, resigned from the role just a day after Trump commenced his second term. Notably, Jackson was the first African American and Mexican-American to head the federal arts agency.
Since Jackson’s departure, the NEA has withdrawn numerous arts grants, redirecting focus toward initiatives like ‘skilled trade jobs,’ ‘AI competency,’ and supporting ‘the military and veterans.’ The agency also discontinued the long-running Challenge America grant program, which targeted ‘underserved communities,’ leading to resignations of senior NEA officials in May. Trump’s earlier budget proposal had even suggested the agency’s complete elimination.
In a legal battle, the American Civil Liberties Union successfully challenged the NEA in September after the agency imposed a restriction on funding projects linked to ‘gender ideology,’ as interpreted by the Trump administration.
Carter’s past includes roles on Trump’s inaugural committee and as a chief policy advisor for Republican Rick Scott during his gubernatorial transition. Her LinkedIn profile highlights her experience as a radio host and campaign strategist, and her association with the Heritage Foundation, instrumental in shaping Trump’s Project 2025 policy agenda.
Expressing her vision, Carter stated, “The arts are essential to creating, innovating, healing, and recovery, and they provide vital economic stability to communities across the nation.” She anticipates significant celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary in 2026 and emphasizes continued research into the arts’ healing capacity. Carter’s nomination in May was confirmed by the Senate on December 18, coinciding with the Kennedy Center for the Arts’ controversial renaming to the “Trump-Kennedy Center,” following a board decision chaired by Trump.
