Landesman confirmed as NEA chair

Rocco Landesman, a Broadway producer with Maine ties, has been confirmed as the next National Endowment for the Arts chair. The U.S. Senate took the action last week, before its August recess.

Landesman attended Colby College in Waterville in the 1960s, and received an honorary degree from Colby in 2005. He begins work at the NEA this week.

Landesman has produced some of Broadway's most successful shows, including "Angels in America," "The Full Monty," "Big River" and "The Producers." He has also spent more than 20 years as president of Jujamcyn Theaters, New York’s third largest theater owner.

In a statement, Landesman said, "I am honored to receive the Senate's vote of confirmation.  I look forward to serving the nation as Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. I believe this is an auspicious time for the NEA and the country. Art is essential to the civic, economic, and cultural vitality of our nation. It reflects who we are and what we stand for -- freedom of expression, imagination, and vision. I am eager to work with our many partners to bring quality arts programs to neighborhoods and communities across the country."

When Congress returns to session after Labor Day, the House and Senate will resume work on finishing the appropriations process for FY 2010.  Currently, the House has approved NEA funding at $170 million but must await the Senate's completion of their bill, which the Appropriations Committee set at $161.3 million. Both funding levels represent increases above its current budget of $145 million.

Meanwhile, another artist with other Maine ties, Barbara Ernst Prey, is leaving her mark on the NEA. Prey, who paints in Maine in the summer, is a recent appointee to the National Council on the Arts, the NEA's advisory board. In her capacity, she and other members of the council will help set policy for the NEA by advising the chairman.

She was nominated by President George W. Bush, although she was not confirmed by the Senate until after Bush had left office. "It's an incredible honor," Prey said.

She fills a six-year term, and will meet three times a year with other members of the council. There are 14 members on the council, although President Obama has said he wants to increase that number to 18.

With Landesman's confirmation, Prey said the council should be better able to get some work done. The council has been working without a chairman, but also without clear direction. The council's role involves advising the chairman, she said.

"I've been meeting with friends in the field, talking with them about their concerns. I want to keep my fingers on the pulse of what's happening, and then bring that perspective to the council," she said. "I'm looking forward to learning. I'm so excited to be a part of this. It's already given me an incredible grasp of the depth and diversity of the arts in our country."