Maria Rosario Jackson resigned as chair of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), effective on Jan. 20. Jackson, who was appointed by former President Joe Biden in October 2021 and began in the role in January 2022, announced her resignation via a published letter on Jan. 17.
The chair of the NEA is appointed by each sitting president for a term that is not to exceed four years. According to American Theatre, it is common for the position to experience turnover with the changing of presidential administrations, though, at times, chairs are asked to stay on during a transition period before the next chair assumes the role. Jackson’s resignation coincides with the current Trump administration. In this case, a replacement for Jackson has not yet been named.
“It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve as chair of the NEA and to contribute to and build upon the NEA’s rich history and many accomplishments in serving the American people,” said Jackson in a statement.
Under Jackson’s leadership, the NEA co-hosted, alongside the White House Domestic Policy Council, its first national arts summit, launched the ArtsHERE pilot programming offering grants to arts organizations committed to equity and awarded nearly $37 million in grants to support arts across all 50 states. In the final few months of Jackon’s tenure alone, the NEA released key research examining arts engagement and community connectedness, as well as a study on the state of nonprofit theater in the United States.
“I am filled with gratitude for the experience and the honor of working alongside a dedicated and talented team of public servants committed to ensuring all Americans can benefit from the arts,” Jackson. “The arts animate the soul of our nation.”
The NEA has a FY 2025 budget of $210 million, up from $207 million in 2023.
“I am hopeful for the future of the arts in America,” concluded Jackson.
