Join host Mike Chmielewski and his guests, Mary Anne Carter, the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, and Benjamin Brown with the Alaska State Council on the Arts. Listen as they discuss how art can be used as a healing therapy and hear about Chairmans Carter trip to Alaska.
Mary Anne Carter
Mary Anne Carter was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on December 18, 2025, to serve as chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), leading the agency with a strong, steady vision to bring the arts to every corner of the nation. Guided by the belief that the arts belong to all Americans, she works to expand opportunity and support the creative spirit that helps the nation grow. Carter also served as chairman of the NEA during President Donald J. Trump’s first term. During that time, she advanced the expansion of Creative Forces, a creative arts therapy initiative supporting service members and veterans recovering from post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, and other psychological health conditions. She also strengthened major national programs such as Shakespeare in American Communities, NEA Big Read, and Poetry Out Loud, ensuring agency activities engage audiences of all ages.
Photo/text credit: National Endowment for the Arts