trump nominates nea head mary anne carter 1234741585

President Donald Trump has nominated Mary Anne Carter to return as head of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), a position she previously held from 2019 to 2021. The nomination comes after Trump’s 2026 budget proposed eliminating the agency, which distributes federal grants to arts organizations nationwide. Carter, who lacks extensive arts experience and previously served as chief policy adviser to Florida Governor Rick Scott, is currently listed as a senior adviser to the NEA. Her nomination follows a wave of resignations among senior NEA leaders and reports that over 350 organizations have had their grants canceled as the agency shifts its funding priorities.