The U.S. Senate this afternoon confirmed Jane Chu, the President and CEO of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City, as the 11th chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts.
The nomination has been non-controversial and Chu was confirmed by the Senate today by voice vote with only a few members in the chamber. Last month, she was confirmed by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions also by voice vote.
The arts endowment, a federal agency, has been without a permanent chairman for a year and a half.
The White House will soon formally announce her appointment and she will begin her service.
In a release from the NEA, Chu said, "I’m honored to receive the Senate’s vote of confirmation, and I look forward to serving our nation as chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. Together, we have the opportunity to show the value of connecting the arts to all Americans, and the importance of the arts in bringing communities together."
Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., said, “I have no doubt that Jane will make Missouri proud. She’s spent years enriching the culture and strengthening the business community in Kansas City, and I’m looking forward to seeing her bring that same leadership to the national stage.”
The Show Me state’s Republican U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt said, “I’m glad the Senate confirmed Dr. Chu’s nomination as chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts today.”
"I was impressed by her successful oversight of the more than $400 million Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts project and I enjoyed visiting with her in Kansas City several weeks ago,” said Blunt. “I have no doubt Dr. Chu will serve as a valuable asset to the NEA."